This is where it starts.
Everything I write here is solely my own views done with research.
I know i'm bringing this issue up a little late, but i'll say it anyway.
I'm sure many of you recall the demonstrations and rallies that we Malaysians tried to organise. But we were always thwarted by the police, who sets up roadblocks and are responsible for the traffic jams it causes.
The Government would then go on to say it is not the Malaysian culture to hold demonstrations and protests. They say it would cause violence and disrupt peace and harmony. It only got violent because the police stood in the way of the demonstrations. Its called a PEACEFUL RALLY/DEMONSTRATION.
Anyway, they say its not "Malaysian culture". Then what is? Sitting on our backsides at home and just sigh every time they announce something that we're not happy about? Oh please.
Now, as I mentioned earlier, the police and government tried to deter us from holding rallies and demonstrations. Who is at fault here?? Its obvious, they are.
Article 10. Freedom of speech, assembly and association.(1) Subject to Clauses (2), (3) and (4) -
(a)every citizen has the right to freedom of speech and expression;
(b)all citizens have the right to assemble peaceably and without arms;
(c)all citizens have the right to form associations.
(2) Parliament may by law impose -
(a)on the rights conferred by paragraph (a) of Clause (1),such restrictions as it deems necessary or expedient in the interest of the security of the Federation or any part thereof, friendly relations with other countries, public order or morality and restrictions designed to protect the privileges of Parliament or of any Legislative Assembly or to provide against contempt of court, defamation, or incitement to any offence;
(b)on the right conferred by paragraph (b) of Clause (1), such restrictions as it deems necessary or expedient in the interest of the security of the Federation or any part thereof, or public order;
(c)on the right conferred by paragraph (c) of Clause (1), such restrictions as it deems necessary or expedient in the interest of the security of the Federation or any part thereof, public order or morality.
(3) Restrictions on the right to form associations conferred by paragraph (c) of Clause (1) may also be imposed by any law relating to labour or education. (4) In imposing restrictions in the interest of the security of the Federation or any part thereof or public order under Clause (2)
(a), Parliament may pass law prohibiting the questioning of any matter, right, status, position, privilege, sovereignty or prerogative established or protected by the provisions of Part III, article 152, 153 or 181 otherwise than in relation to the implementation thereof as may be specified in such law.
so you see, what the demonstraters tried to do wasn't illegal as long as it remained peaceful and unarmed.
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"We will not hesitate to take action against those who defied our orders," Zul Hasnan Najib, Kuala Lumpur's police chief, said.
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the prime minister, said on Friday that the government would not tolerate street demonstrations.
"They are challenging the patience of the people who want the country to be peaceful and stable. That is what they are challenging, not me," he said at a ruling party meeting.
taken from Al-Jazeera English, Asia-Pacific
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That just shows that they want to stop us from practicing our rights.
The Govt just wanted to stop us because they didn't want us to voice our opinions. So they threaten us with ISA, charge us with sedition and etc. (we all know the drill by now).
By right, they couldn't do that because it violates Article 10 which guarantees us our rights to freedom of speech, assembly and association.
So we have our rights, learn them and the Govt can't scare us anymore.
I'm done here for now. I won't just focus on issues here, i'll look beyond borders from time to time.
By the way, I am not a supporter of the Opposition or the Govt.
I speak only as a Malaysian.
-The Acolyte-
