Activists arrest an attempt to stifle public discussion: NGOs

comments     Susan Loone     Published     Updated

Non-governmental organisations have joined the fray to condemn the arrest of social activist and transport forum organiser Ong Boon Keong for leading a group of dissidents against the controversial alignment of the Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR) project.

Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) coordinator S Arutchelvan said that police presence, Ong's arrest and confiscation of newsletters on the PORR issue distributed at a public forum on Saturday, was "a clear attempt to stifle public discussion and is politically motivated".

He added that the act was a "gross violation" of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which guarantees people freedom of expression, information and assembly.

"Sabotaging and intimidating public discussion is an attempt to hide the truth surrounding the controversial PORR project," said Arutchelvan.

"The state government should address these concerns rather than hide behind the police force and intimidate its citizens from discussing these issues," he added.

On Saturday, Ong was held for two hours after the forum "Penang's Future — Cars or People-friendly" which he organised at the office of Save Ourselves (SOS), a resident's group to assist those affected by the repeal of the Rent Control Act, in Lorong Prangin.

Waited outside SOS office

Some 20 personnel from the Criminal Investigation Department and Special Branch had waited from 7pm outside the SOS office.

Ong was arrested by the police while distributing the SOS newsletter "Alamak Penang - A Publication of Penang, by Penangites and for Penang" to some 30 affected residents who attended the forum.

The two guest speakers were not arrested. They are Paul Barter from Australia, who is the liaison officer for the Sustainable Transport Action Network for Asia and the Pacific, and Ganesh Rasagam, an independent transport researcher and consultant.

Ong was released about two hours later after DAP member of Parliament for Tanjung, Chow Kon Yeow, posted bail for him. Ong was also accompanied by Penang Keadilan deputy chief and lawyer Cheah Kah Peng.

The RM1.02 billion highway project, which will affect some 172 structures including private homes, places of worship, graves and shoplots, has come under fire by residents and the opposition since it was publicised by the Malaysian Highway Authority.

Wasting their time

State officials said the government is currently collecting grievances by residents who oppose the project and will make a representation soon.

Meanwhile, Penang-based social reform group Aliran said the police should have far more important responsibilities to the nation than wasting their time "nit-picking and intimidating" Malaysians concerned with the quality of life of fellow citizens.

Aliran president P Ramakrishnan said that it was trully "regrettable" that the police were so ignorant of human rights that they are unable to respect the basic right of assembly and information.

"When the project affects them (public) in such a pernicious manner shouldn't they have a right to discuss and debate it? Why should this right be perceived as a threat? How does it threaten the peace of the state? Why do the police become embroiled in this issue?" he queried.

Ramakrishnan said every police personnel should undergo a meaningful course on human rights, adding that this requirement was "urgent and imperative as they (police) have been guilty of violating human rights of Malaysians far too often".



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