Debate with Mat Sabu, not prosecute him!

21 September 2011

Civil Society Joint Press Statement

Debate with Mat Sabu, not prosecute him! 

We, the undersigned civil society organisations,collectively register our utter disgust over the prosecution of PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu under Section 505 of the Penal Code with uttering statements tantamount to public mischief. He was even briefly arrested last night.

Charging Sabu goes against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s pledge to promote openness and democracy on Malaysia Day.

It raises questions over the sincerity of PM Najib in announcing a series of reforms  including amendment of the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA), whether he has full control on the police or both.

We urge the government to immediately drop the politically-motivated charge of Sabu and stop intimidating dissidents who oppose and challenge official history and ideology.

与玛沙布辩论，而非提控他！

2011年9月21日

公民团体联合文告我们，联署的公民团体，集体表达我们对政府提控回教党署理主席玛沙布的厌恶。政府将以刑事法典505条文既危害公众言论罪名提控玛沙布，他昨晚被警方短暂扣留。

政府提控玛沙布，显然与首相纳吉在马来西亚日宣布的民主开放措施背道而驰。

这令人质疑首相纳吉宣布的系列改革的诚意，包括修改印刷与出版法令。首相是否还能全面控制警察部队的行动？

我们促请政府即刻撤销此含有政治动机的提控，停止恐吓挑战官方历史与意识形态的异议者。