The Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) has blasted the government’s “selective harassment” of human rights NGO Suaram, which has come under intense scrutiny over its status and sources of funding.   

NONE “In the past three months, Suaram has come under attack by the Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM) and no less than five other government bodies,” the coalition of women’s rights NGOs said in a statement today.

“Furthermore, the timing of this investigation amidst Suaram’s revelations in the Scorpene case has even been questioned by Amnesty International. This is not a routine investigation.”

Calling on the government to stop “using its powers to bully the organisation and its officers and seek to intimidate other organisations”, it said any investigation had to be conducted in a “professional, impartial, orderly, and respectful” manner.

“JAG will continue to work with Suaram, and stand up for Suaram throughout these on-going investigations.”

Members of other groups have lodged police reports over the continued ‘persecution’ of Suaram.

NONE Yesterday, six Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) members made a report at the Brickfields police station against Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Ismail Sabri Yaacob (left) for “interfering” in the probe into Suaram.

“(The minister’s) actions in stating he intends to charge Suaram, even before the Attorney-General’s Chambers has made its decision ... has imposed his personal and political decision on the charging of Suaram even before the process of investigation has completed,” reads the police report.

They were referring to Ismail Sabri’s statement on Sept 18 that Suaram will be charged that week, even though investigations are still in progress.

The reports were signed by deputy chairperson M Sarasvathy, Youth chairperson R Saratbabu and branch representatives G Sagaya, G Packialetchumy, T Chandra and A Mahendran.

NONE Last Saturday, the youth section of the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall had lodged a report against Ismail Sabri for “abuse of power, malicious intent, and interference and influence in the process of investigation”.

Chairperson Lua Khang Wei and his deputy Fok Wai Mun lodged their reports at the Tun HS Lee police station in Kuala Lumpur.