vox populi small thumbnail 'The more they are trying to silence Tharmendran, the worse they are made to look in the eyes of the public.'

Tharmendran re-arrested outside Shah Alam Court

KS: I hope his lawyers can find some legal means of getting former Air Force sergeant N Tharmendran out. Previously he alleged torture at the hands of the army personnel. He made the allegations when he was outside and now he is back inside - a helpless individual in the hands of the army.

Even in police custody there are assurances of safety and police are careful given that they have gone to trial for abuse of detainees like A Kugan. What safeguards are there for Tharmendran? Neither Suhakam nor any civilian lawyer can visit him.

This matter must be raised in Parliament. The defence minister must give an assurance of his safety and the army must provide access to civil bodies to ensure his safety and well-being. We are not under martial law and civilian law must reign supreme.

I previously had the highest regard for the Air Force - during the Emergency they flew copters blind at night to relieve ground forces. The army has pledged to protect the innocent. Don't let it be an instrument of torture.

Cala: First, what kind of logic (Provost Marshall Lt Col) Mohd Razif Razak was trying to provide? Was it not obvious to the whole world that Tharmendran was arrested (rightly or wrongly) for ‘having stolen' two jet engines in December 2007 as reported?

The due process of law is under way and Tharmendran was kept in Sungai Buloh prison after he decided to withdraw the bail fearing for his own safety from the threats of his ex-employer.

In arresting him, the Air Force is simply trying to shut him off as part of their damage control strategy. The more they are trying to silence Tharmendran, the worse they are made to look in the eyes of the public.

Second, how can he be a deserter if he is an accused in the case pending disposal?

Maitreya: Just as the PDRM is in shambles after suffering from IGPs like Abdul Rahim Noor and Musa Hassan, the Armed Forces have become disreputable and degenerate with Najib Razak as defence minister for 14 years.

YF: Which non-Malay wants to join the Armed Forces now when they are treated like dirt, made into scapegoats and deemed as deserters? The defence minister's silence on these victimised non-Malay patriots speaks volumes of the degraded values and racism within our Armed Forces and civil service.

C4: Please read the Armed Forces Act 1972 to understand this case before making any allegation against the Armed Forces. When a civilian join and becomes a member of the Force they subject themselves to two set of laws - civilian and military.

When you commit an offence while serving in the military you may be charged in the civilian or military court depending on the offences committed. In this case, the Armed Forces is doing the right thing. This is my view. You may not agree because you have never served in the Armed Forces.

Ferdtan: Why are the Air Force personnel so bent on arresting Tharmendran when he is now on trial in the civilian court? Is it to keep him quiet and to threaten him so that he would not spill the beans on other higher-ranking officers who could be involved in the theft of the aircraft engines.

This arrest is very disturbing - more so, when Tharmendran is claiming that he had been tortured by his fellow officers. The case of deserter for missing work (if it holds) is secondary to the trial of theft in the civil court - so why can't the Air Force wait?

Something is not right here! Bar Council, where are you? If we, the public can see plainly that this arrest is obviously unjust, why can't you see it? The rule of law is no more - it is rule by law.

Sunnyd: So are they going to charge him in a military court for theft or desertion? Are other soldiers charged for criminal offences taken away from the courts in this manner? Who made the decision for this ‘kidnap'?

Will Ronnie 'son of Jade Emperor' Liu make the cut?

Proarte: Personally I think Ronnie Liu should paraphrase Brutus from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar and graciously withdraw from the race - not that he loved the post less, but that he loved DAP more.

DAP values his contribution and he is a man whose heart is in the right place but his main flaw is the impression of arrogance he gives and unwillingness to listen. This I believe led to him to cutting corners and taking risks like giving recommendation letters to trusted colleagues like Tee Boon Hock, who abused it and corruptly gave the contract to his son.

The buck unfortunately has to stop with Liu and he must take responsibility. If he is selected to be a committee member, then it would tarnish DAP's reputation as not being trustworthy and making its espoused CAT practises a sham.

Remember, DAP has to be a beacon for a better Malaysia and this means being absolutely resolute in its policies for good governance. Integrity, diligence, consistency and unshakeable resolve are values which the rakyat value.

Take Note: As a Penangite, I can tell you LGE (Lim Guan Eng) is hugely popular in Penang and is perceived to be doing a brilliant job despite all the sabotage by the federal side. Selangor DAP should learn from him. Leaders must not only be clean, they must be seen to be clean.

Temenggong: This is a battle between the old and new guard. In case the old guard loses, that would spell the end of DAP in Malaysia. Ronnie will make it, and so will the Justice Team. They are too strong.

Gerald: My guess is that the Lim dynasty (Lim Kit Siang and Lim Guan Eng) is copying the the BN's divide-and-rule methodology to ensure their firm grip on DAP.

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