Keadilan sends memo to Vatican, timed for PM-Pope meeting

comments     Claudia Theophilus     Published     Updated

Keadilan Youth has submitted a memorandum to the Vatican urging it not to condone Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's repressive acts against political rivals.

The seven-page memorandum addressed to Pope John Paul II urged the Vatican to call for the immediate and unconditional release of political detainees, including former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Keadilan deputy Youth chief Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said in the memorandum that the "continued threat and subjugation by the government against the free exercise of political activities are abhorrent in a democracy like Malaysia".

"We hope the Holy See understands that by receiving Mahathir, it may legitimise the undemocratic and illegal actions of his government against the people of this country," he said.

In addition to Anwar, the memorandum also highlighted the plight of the six reformasi activists currently held at the Kamunting detention camp in Taiping, Perak.

The six — Tian Chua, Ezam Mohd Nor, Hishamuddin Rais, Lokman Noor Adam,Badrul Amin Baharon and Saari Sungib — were detained under the ISA last year for allegedly planning to topple the government through violent means.

The memorandum was submitted to Vatican Secretary of State Angelo Cardinal Sodano, with copies to the Secretary for Relations to the State Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran and the Apostolic Nuncio to the Court of St James, Archbishop Pablo Puente.

Shadow of restrictions

Saifuddin said that Mahathir's visit should be considered in full light of his record as the leader of an oppressive and undemocratic government.

"Unlike citizens in other countries, Malaysians live under the shadow of severe restriction of the democratic rights to freedom of assembly, speech, political activity and association.

"We hope the Holy See understands that Mahathir and his government have only acted wherever and whenever these actions directly benefitted them as politicians.

"Malaysians expect nothing less than your support in fighting for their constitutional freedoms," he said in the memorandum ahead of Mahathir's visit to the Vatican.

Saifuddin warned in the memorandum about the possibility of Mahathir using the meeting to claim that the Pope "wants to learn from him about issues in the politics and governance of a moderate Muslim nation".

Mahathir, accompanied by wife Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, is expected to arrive in Rome tomorrow for a three-day working visit before heading for Switzerland and Luxembourg.

Mahathir and the head of the Roman Catholic Church are expected to discuss terrorism-related issues, including the Palestinian-Israel conflict and inter-faith dialogue between Muslims and Christians.



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