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| MEMORANDUM RAKYAT OF 14 APRIL 2001 RECOGNIZING the sanctity of the voice of the rakyat and the rakyat as the decisive factor of our nation's future; CONSIDERING that a system that respects freedom of speech and human rights is a fundamental basis in upholding justice and truth; AFFIRMING that racial harmony, rakyat unity and national integration invoke a collective responsibility of all stratas of the society in the context of the struggle for defending human rights, upholding justice, maintaining peace and fostering liberty in our nation; REALIZING that the current state of the nation is gravely deteriorating with the present government's unrepentant acts of violating human rights and fundamental liberties as guaranteed by the Federal Constitution and tarnishing the integrity of various public institutions and also subjecting the nation towards a dictatorship, thus propelling the rakyat to struggle for the reformation of the governmental policies; THEREFORE, we, the citizens of Malaysia representing the various sectors of the rakyat and non-governmental organizations hereby submit a Memorandum Rakyat of 14 April 2001 which underlines 10 fundamental issues to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) as follows: 1. Guarantee Freedom of Speech. We demand that all forms of restrictions against the right to freedom of speech and expression be abolished. 2. Guarantee Freedom of Assembly. We demand that all forms of restrictions against the right of the rakyat to assemble peacefully be abolished. 3. Guarantee Press Freedom. We demand that all forms of restrictions and prohibitions against freedom of the printed and electronic media be abolished. 4. Protect Independence of the Judiciary. We implore that effective effort be undertaken to restore the confidence of the rakyat towards the independence of the judiciary by ensuring the appointment of credible judges, ceasing all selective prosecutions and judgements and releasing those who have been persecuted immediately. 5. Dignify Socio-Economy of the Oppressed Rakyat. We demand that serious effort be taken to assist and advance the oppressed rakyat who have been deprived, marginalized and alienated, and to dignify their socio-economic development fairly and equitably without discrimination of any kind as to race, colour, sex, language, religion, sect, culture, territory and political opinion. 6. Eliminate Racism and Racial Discrimination. We urge that effective recovery measure be taken immediately to address the problems of racism and racial discrimination in Malaysia and to initiate a concerted process of consultation involving all parties and sectors gearing towards the elimination of racism and racial discrimination. 7. Abolish Tyrannical Laws. We demand that all legislations which are oppressive and evidently violate human rights namely the Internal Security Act, Emergency Act and Emergency Ordinance which allow arrest and detention without trial be abolished, and demand that the Official Secrets Act, Sedition Act, Police Act, Printing and Printing Press Act, Trade Unions Act and the University and University Colleges Act be repealed or amended of any provisions which infringe freedom of expression and human rights. 8. Ratify International Convenants On Human Rights. We demand that all international convenants and human rights instruments of the United Nations be ratified and adopted by the Malaysian Government in order to ensure that all legislations in this country are in accordance and conformity with the universal human rights standards. 9. Investigate Corruption, Cronyism and Nepotism. We urge that all forms of power abuses and malpractices involving corruption, cronyism and nepotism be investigated, exposed and rectified through the role of the institutions of investigation and indictment such as the Anti-Corruption Agency and the Attorney General's Office that serve with greater authority and independence in the interest of the rakyat and the nation. 10. Investigate Police Incompetence. We urge for an independent and transparent inquiry be undertaken to address the ineptitude and incompetence of the police force in the issues of police brutality and the police failure to act in a fair and just manner in handling reports on crimes, malpractices, abuses of power, corruption, cronyism and nepotism especially that involve high ranking leaders of the government. DEFEND HUMAN RIGHTS |
| FAC News - 11 April 2001 Citizens’ Memorandum to be handed to SUHAKAM Saturday, 14 April 2001, is the second anniversary of Anwar Ibrahim’s sentencing – on the first (corruption) trial. At 11.00am that same day, a Citizens’ Memorandum (Memorandum Rakyat) will be handed to SUHAKAM (Malaysia’s Human Rights Commission) at their office in Menara Tun Razak, Jalan Raja Laut, Kuala Lumpur. (Full text of the 14 April Memorandum Rakyat can be read here). According to Saari Sungib, Chairman of the Jawatankuasa Pertahankan Hak Asasi (Defend Human Rights Committee), Tan Sri Musa Hitam, the Chairman of SUHAKAM, has agreed to receive the Memorandum on behalf of the Human Rights Commission. A delegation of 50 representing political parties, labour organisations, non-government organisations, political activists, academicians and professionals, student bodies, the arts community, writers, journalists, Reformists, community and religious leaders, and so on, will assemble at the SUHAKAM office at 10.30am for the handing over "ceremony". This is believed to be the largest grouping ever of Malaysians from all walks of life demanding a restoration of human rights. It is also one of the most diversified, cutting across all political, religious and cultural boundaries. The organising committee comprises of well-known Reformists and political activists such as Abdul Malek Hussin, Tian Chua, Hishamuddin Rais, Norazimah Mohd Nor, Nasir Md Isa, Azwandin Hamzah, Tan Soi Kow, and Fadil Hj. Abu Bakar. The Memorandum Rakyat of 14 April 2001 addresses ten fundamental issues related to lack of freedom and transgressions of human rights in Malaysia. |