'Blocked bank accounts, travel ban': Mandiri cries intimidation, LFL slams 'oppressive' crackdown

Mandiri has claimed that bank accounts belonging to the NGO and its leaders have been blocked, a week after two of its figures were informed of travel restrictions preventing them from leaving the nation.

The development follows travel bans issued against several Bersih activists, who had sounded the alarm over a supposedly “worrying precedent” for civil society organisations in Malaysia after they were barred from entering Sabah.

In a statement last night, Mandiri executive director Amir Hariri Abd Hadi said he had received news regarding a ban on him leaving the country last week, while Mandiri financial director Dobby Chew faced trouble when returning from Jakarta.

While Chew was informed that there was a “restriction from Bukit Aman” before finally being allowed to enter Malaysia, Amir (above) insisted that neither of the duo had been contacted or given reasons for the alleged bans against them.

He further asserted that his and Chew’s (above) personal bank accounts, as well as those belonging to Mandiri and Hayat, an NGO managed by Chew, were also blocked yesterday.

“Not once have we been contacted regarding this block. We have also never been summoned for any investigation.

“Mandiri once again urges the authorities to provide an explanation for these restrictions and immediately revoke them.

“Mandiri is always ready to be investigated should there be any need and will give full cooperation to the police and authorities,” Amir said.

Pressure on govt critics

He insisted that such restrictions, allegedly without any notification or explanation, are “clearly a form of continuous intimidation used to pressure those who do not align with the government”.

“As a civil society organisation, Mandiri is not involved in any political manoeuvrings, or as previously accused, supposedly working to overthrow Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim,” Amir said.

He is believed to be referring to PKR Youth’s previous call for authorities to investigate the youth-based organisation for an alleged threat to national security - an accusation which Mandiri has denied.

“The fall and rise of political parties and politicians are determined by the people.

“The demands from our campaigns are the same demands fought for together with organisations and individuals who are now in government, back when they were on the opposition bench,” Amir added.

Amir, a former Muda secretary-general, today confirmed being told that the restriction on his personal bank account was executed under Section 44(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, which allows law enforcement officers to freeze a person's property during an ongoing investigation.

However, he reiterated that neither he nor Chew, who is also a Muda vice-president, has been summoned by the police to facilitate their probes yet.

LFL fires a salvo

In a separate statement today, Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) condemned the account freezes and travel bans against Mandiri and its leaders as “unlawful, unreasonable, oppressive, and authoritarian”.

Noting that Mandiri, Amir, and Chew are well known for their work in youth empowerment, human rights, and peaceful democratic change, LFL coordinator Rania Aljunied (above) labelled the actions against them as being “clearly calculated to intimidate and silence”.

Highlighting that the right to criticise the government is protected under Article 10(1)(a) of the Federal Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech and expression, she said LFL is “particularly disappointed” with Pakatan Harapan.

“Harapan, which forms the backbone of the government today and had promised reform and democracy, has condoned these oppressive actions by the authorities with their silence and complicity.

“Harapan should remember it was the long-standing struggles and efforts of principled and committed civil society organisations like Mandiri that paved the way for it to obtain federal power,” she added.

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