Aniza Damis interview Musa HitamAniza Damis speaks to Tun Musa Hitam about the Rights and Responsibilities that come with freedom of expression, and how we should try to allow it.
Excerpts:
Q: The system right now is, if you want to assemble, you have to apply for a police permit.
A: And almost automatically, its refused. So you stop there.
Q: So, if it’s refused, the assembly is illegal?
A: yes, it’s illegal.
Q: Some people feel there is a biased allocation of permits.
A: There are biased allocations, in so far as the applicants are concerned. In so far as the government is concerned, they say they are not biased. But therein lies the problem.
The law needs to be adapted. If you accept the principle expression of views in terms of demonstrations to be positive, then work on it.
Q: The government believes if you are unhappy, you should make an appointment with the government and tell them what’s wrong.
A: Let’s talk about the Indian problem. Incidentally, we’re all Malaysians. Their problem in this country is genuine. Of course we have a party that claims to be representing the Indians, but obviously, they feel that they are not satisfied with the representation. Obviously they are desperate. And I know, in many cases, they have genuine grievances.
Q: In an illegal rally, is it justified to use force?
A: No, not by anybody. The police will tell me, in many cases it is true, that they are provoked.
Q: Is Malaysia ready for peaceful assemblies?
A: Yes! Come on, we have been independent for 50 years.
I am happy that the prime minister actually directed the MIC to look into the matter. But they should not have been told…it should have been an on-going thing. Maybe they need to have a good fresh look at themselves.
The TV saying everyday that Ini Bukan Budaya Kita. I’m sorry for ridiculing this, but where is there a Budaya of violence anywhere in the world? Do you think violence is a French budaya? Indonesians? Filipinos?
Don’t anybody dare tell me that I’m anti-government, or anti-UMNO.
The right to peaceful assembly is enshrined in our democratic institution. That right also gives the right to the government to refuse.The thing at issue is not that the rights are not there. The right exist. It is the application of the right and the administration of the right that I am taking issue with.
So the survival of liberalism and tolerance depends on the ability of all to contribute. It is in the interest of all to see that this liberalism and tolerance survive. It is in the interest of all.
Q: If the government doesn’t come up with a system, what would this say about human rights and about us?
A; The government has the right to say no. the government has a right to refuse. But if it does, I’ll be disappointed. Try, lah!
Excerpts:
Q: The system right now is, if you want to assemble, you have to apply for a police permit.
A: And almost automatically, its refused. So you stop there.
Q: So, if it’s refused, the assembly is illegal?
A: yes, it’s illegal.
Q: Some people feel there is a biased allocation of permits.
A: There are biased allocations, in so far as the applicants are concerned. In so far as the government is concerned, they say they are not biased. But therein lies the problem.
The law needs to be adapted. If you accept the principle expression of views in terms of demonstrations to be positive, then work on it.
Q: The government believes if you are unhappy, you should make an appointment with the government and tell them what’s wrong.
A: Let’s talk about the Indian problem. Incidentally, we’re all Malaysians. Their problem in this country is genuine. Of course we have a party that claims to be representing the Indians, but obviously, they feel that they are not satisfied with the representation. Obviously they are desperate. And I know, in many cases, they have genuine grievances.
Q: In an illegal rally, is it justified to use force?
A: No, not by anybody. The police will tell me, in many cases it is true, that they are provoked.
Q: Is Malaysia ready for peaceful assemblies?
A: Yes! Come on, we have been independent for 50 years.
I am happy that the prime minister actually directed the MIC to look into the matter. But they should not have been told…it should have been an on-going thing. Maybe they need to have a good fresh look at themselves.
The TV saying everyday that Ini Bukan Budaya Kita. I’m sorry for ridiculing this, but where is there a Budaya of violence anywhere in the world? Do you think violence is a French budaya? Indonesians? Filipinos?
Don’t anybody dare tell me that I’m anti-government, or anti-UMNO.
The right to peaceful assembly is enshrined in our democratic institution. That right also gives the right to the government to refuse.The thing at issue is not that the rights are not there. The right exist. It is the application of the right and the administration of the right that I am taking issue with.
So the survival of liberalism and tolerance depends on the ability of all to contribute. It is in the interest of all to see that this liberalism and tolerance survive. It is in the interest of all.
Q: If the government doesn’t come up with a system, what would this say about human rights and about us?
A; The government has the right to say no. the government has a right to refuse. But if it does, I’ll be disappointed. Try, lah!
(Note: Thanks to anon, I could not get the nstp link yesterday. The article is here: NSTP Sunday Interview)
9 comments:
This is a different kind of has-been ...he talked sense. Well.. he can effort to do that because he's not aiming for any spot within the establishment.
Gukita,
I somehow appreciate your intellectual dissertation and differentiation of "Has-been". When a person has no personal interest in political power, he becomes rational. So is you.
Yes, politicians in this country are infamously known for their chameleon-like character. We would also guess correctly what he would say if he were the internal security minister or occupying a top umnoputra position now. Or for that matter, if Anwar Ibrahim were the current Youth UMNOputra chief. In this aspect, politics stink!! Hypocrisy smells all over.
Donkey
The right of peaceful assembly is a god given right for any human being in any country. Sure the government can deny that right but to say that they are practicing fair and just democracy at the same time is a TOTAL FARCE!!!! The fact remains that the government is oblivious to the current sad state of affairs and fear of losing their current position is whats playing on their minds at the moment. Hence the total blanket refusal for any permits to assemblies which threatens their positions. They also fail to realize that the public has now matured and have a better understanding of democracy. Until they 'wake up and smell the roses' we the public are therefore under the yoke of public officials who abuse the power given to them by us. WAKE UP EVERYBODY!!! THEY ARE WHERE THEY ARE BECAUSE WE PUT THEM THERE!!! Its up to us to remove them if we need or want to. The choice is ours. MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE DURING THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION!!!!!!
perhaps it is better if the author of the blog put the lynx back to the original article which is : http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Sunday/SundayInterview/20071209153926/Article/index_html
Thanks Anon for the link. I couldn't get the link yesterday.
Diveman69,
Thanks for being here and thanks for being "NO MORE Anonymous".
Donkey,
Thanks.
This basi rice guy is forked tongue and not unlike skewered mouth Abu Talib, the SHAM chairman. Why waste time trying to decipher them as if there'll be found great truths therein apart from duplicity? Remember that not very long ago, Ghazali Shafie was bewailing the lack of ability of the people to think. Guess who helped plenty to make 'em all so.!
Mave, these are tired old kok talkers and unworthy to be referred to this often.
This is like slippery eel... Yes...No.... well....
The man is fudging, maverick!
Nick
never believe a man with no eye brow
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