Malaysia Update 4 (8/8/2000)
released by SUARAM 4.15pm

a) Anwar Found Guilty
b) More Arrest on 8/8 peaceful Assembly

a) Anwar Found Guilty (8/8/2000)

Today in High Court, Anwar was found guilty despite so many inconsistency and controversy in the evidence provided by the prosecutor through the process. Anwar was sentenced to 9 years jail for the sodomy, to be added with the previous 6 years sentence under the allegation misuse of power. Meanwhile, Sukma Dermawan, Anwar foster brother was given a six-year jail sentence and four strokes of rotan.

SUARAM expresses great concern over the guilty verdict of former deputy prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim and Sukma Dermawan.

The court case of these two men has been plagued from the start with inconsistency and controversy. Thus, the guilty verdict is on the one hand shocking, yet because of the perceived political power play and the assumption that political masters are involved - not unexpected.

The verdict has the unfortunate effect of further eroding of public confidence in the judiciary and its independence from the executive.

Today in the midst of the Kuala Lumpur drizzle, the heavens weep for Malaysia and its political prisoners, Anwar Ibrahim, and Sukma Dermawan.

b) Urgent Appeal! More Arrest on 8/8 peaceful Assembly

This morning, Anwar's supporters gathered around the HongKong & ShangHai Bank building(at the banks of the river facing the High Court) to show moral support. A crowd totaling a thousand people were gathered in spite of the arrest two days ago where seven people were arrested.

The police arrested Tian Chua and Malek Hussein at around 9.30am. At that time there was no demonstration at all !. The crowd continued to assemble peacefully ...singing songs and shouting slogans. The police was present but allowed the gathering to go on. It is believed that the police agreed for the supporters to be gathered there.

While the crowd was waiting patiently for Wan Azizah to address them. There was also rumours by then of the sentencing of Anwar and Sukma. At around 12.30pm., the police and FRU moved in to disperse the crowd. It was estimated that more than 10 people were arrested at that point. Witnesses reported that 2 of the arrested persons, Mona Suffian and Sabran were beaten by the police during their arrest.

Those arrested so far are :-

9.30 AM
1) Tian Chua
2) Malek Hussein

12.00- 12.45PM
3) Mat Jasni b. Rosli
4) Norsuria b. Ismail
5) Monas Suffian Putra b. Zulkarnain
6) Sabran b. Hamzah
7) Mohd. Jasni Zakaria
8) Nekmat b. Abu
9) Amran
# there are still 4 women reported arrested which we need verify

Protest continued at various location in Kuala Lumpur. At 4pm., the people were srill chanting Reformasi at Jalan Tuan Ku Abdul Rahman. More arrest is expected by the end of the day…………..


RECOMMENDED ACTION

SUARAM is very concern on the frequent abuse of power by the police against citizens who legitimately express their dissent.

We encourage you to write letter expressing support and solidarity to those individuals detained as well as the groups and organisations supporting them.

We encourage you to write appeal letters to the Attorney-General and the Home Minister, calling on him to release all detainees and drop any charges against them. The people were exercising their right to freedom of expression in a peaceful manner which does not involve any loss of lives, injury and/or damage of public property or individual's property. Please note that we are concern for the health and safety while under police custody.

We encourage you to request the Inspector-General of Police and the Home Minister to:
- stop persecuting the citizens for their peaceful protest against injustices perpetrated by the government
- respect the right of the people to freedom of assembly and expression as according to international human rights standards
- release all detainees immediately and unconditionally
- allow the detainees immediate access to lawyers and medical treatment

We encourage you to request the Chair of the Malaysian Human Rights Commission to:
- investigate the violations of human rights in the incidence
- urge the Malaysian government to respect the right of the people to peaceful expression and assembly
- urge the government to release immediately the detainees unconditionally
- continue to support Malaysian citizen's rights to freedom of assembly and expression


PLEASE SEND LETTERS TO:

1. The Home Minister of Malaysia

Datuk Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Home Minister
Jalan Dato Onn,
50502, Kuala Lumpur
MALAYSIA
Fax : +603 2301051

2. The Chair of the Malaysian National Human Rights Commission

Ybhg. Tan Sri Musa Hitam
Chairperson
Malaysian National Human Rights Commission
c/- Kementerian Luar Negeri
Wisma Putra 50602
Kuala Lumpur
MALAYSIA
Fax: +603 2425043

3. Tan Sri Norian Mai
Inspector General of Police
Headquaters of Royal Police of Malaysia
Bukit Aman
50560 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Fax: 603-22731326

AND
***Please remember to send a copy to SUARAM: <suaram@geocities.com>


Date Alert Released: 4.15pm, 8 August 2000


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