Dear friends this letter is
for distribution to friends overseas.
INISIATIF MANIFESTO RAKYAT
Jawatankuasa Penyelaras
Bosses Group, Ex-ISA Detainees Group, Gabungan Rumah Panjang, Group of
Concerned Citizens, Jawatankuasa Sokongan Peneroka Bandar, Majlis Graduan
Malaysia, Persatuan Masyarakat Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan, Persatuan
Sahabat Wanita Selangor, Pusat Komunikasi Masyarakat, Womens Candidacy
Initiative, SUARAM
c/o - 21 Jalan Muhibbah 8, Taman Muhibbah, 43000 Kajang, Selangor Tel-fax: 60-3-87378380
0r Tel: 6-03- 228 22511
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PROTEST LETTERS CAMPAIGN : THE WEEK OF THE PEOPLES VOICES BEING HEARD ! PROTEST
LETTERS CAMPAIGN : THE WEEK OF THE PEOPLES VOICES BEING HEARD !
September 29, 2000
An International Appeal:
Introduction:
PROTEST LETTERS : THE BANNING OF ALTERNATIVE PUBLICATIONS
We, the Peoples Manifesto Initiative , a coalition of 12 NGOs (from various
sectors women workers, women, youth, urban poor, human rights, ex-political
detainees, consumer, etc.) wish to appeal to all concerned citizens to
participate with us protesting the banning of Al Wasilah and Ekslusif, both
alternative and critical Malay publications. These publications were in
existence since 1998 and 1999 respectively and they have been providing very
critical, independent and alternative information and analysis of the various
developments in the country.
These are non-political party, independent publications (daily newspaper as
well as a monthly youth/womens magazines) that are critical of the Malaysian
political scene, and they especially support the call for democratic political
reform in Malaysia. Hence, they have become thorns in the flesh of the
Malaysian government which, has increasingly violated the freedom of the press
as well as restricting democratic space of the Malaysian people. We believe
that the action of revoking of their publication licenses is a move of the ruling
party to further its political agenda to suppress the voices of critics and
dissidents.
Without an alternative to the information that is mainly provided by the
government and its allies Malaysian citizens will not be able to make informed
and rational judgment about the nation and government policies. Consequently a
free press is crucial in ensuring that all voices can be heard by the citizens.
These two publications have provided us with views that are critical to the
mainstream Malaysian media.
Unfortunately such critical voices that are crucial in a democratic society are
banned by the use of draconian laws such as the Printing, Presses and
Publications Acts (PPPA). This Act allows the Home Ministry to revoke the
license of any publications without having to be accountable for such
decisions. We have seen how many publications that are linked to opposition
parties have their permits revoked or are unable to get licenses in the first
place. Clearly all legislation that allows the Executive to silence its critics
has no place in a democracy.
All these attacks on press freedom and the media profession have been
intensified since last January 2000, soon after the ruling party was returned
to power again in a general election. We are strongly opposed to the curtailing
of the freedom of expression, free flow of information and a free media being
killed by the PPPA. We do not see any need for any permit to publish and print.
This is the hallmark of a true democratic society. The silencing of critical
voices and instilling fear in people will eventually lead to the flourishing of
more corruption, nepotism, cronyism that is besetting this country. The press
is not allowed to uncover scandals and corrupt practices that need to be
exposed. This has resulted in the further impoverishment of marginalised and
poor people whose livelihood has been threatened by the many mega projects that
are being carried out by the crony capitalists of the government. At the same
time the people are not able to hold the government accountable for its
actions.
Hence, we are appealing to the international community that is concerned about
the democratic
struggle and issues of social justice to lend your support in upholding the
independence of a key democratic institution the media.
ACTION : MAKE OUR PROTEST VISIBLE:
Hence we appeal to all concerned organizations or individuals to send protests
letters to the Home Minister as well as the National Human Rights Commission of
Malaysia (SUHAKAM). Your PROTEST is definitely very IMPORTANT to let the
concerned bodies understand and be aware of how seriously the international
community views undemocratic actions by the Malaysian government.
ENSURE that the peoples voices are being heard all the time and are not muzzled
when attacked. Resist dictators everywhere.
Please send the protest letters (FAX or EMAIL) during this particular week:
WEEK OF PROTEST : 2 - 7 Oct 2000.
Kindly send us a copy of your protest letters at :
Fax: 03- 87378380
Email: <mailto:manifesto_rakyat@yahoo.com>manifesto_rakyat@yahoo.com Or
manifesto_rakyat99@yahoo.com
All the news on the banning of Detik/Al Wasilah and Ekslusif is available at:
<http://putera_idaman.tripod.com/>http://putera_idaman.tripod.com/
http://www.malaysiakini.com/achives_news/2000/sept/sept27/news8.htm
We enclose some sample protest letters for your information and use.
In Solidarity,
Irene Xavier
(Spokesperson, Peoples Manifesto Initiative)