Forum on Article 11 of the Constitution
I have just returned from the forum held in Johor Baru and it was good that the police did a professional job of keeping the peace. At first I had some hesitation but decided that as a concerned citizen I should learn more about the Malaysian Constitution that is the supreme law of the nation.
I estimate there were about 120 odd persons in the audience and quite a few more demonstrators that I did not want to get too close although I think they just wanted to make their voices heard.
According to the Star, the police had given its approval for the forum and also advised those protestors not to engage in an illegal assembly. It was a difficult position for the police but they handled it well.
Scores of police separated the two groups so that there was safe passage to the hotel car park, the lifts, the hotel exits and even after the forum was over, the audience were advised to wait a few minutes to ensure safety in leaving the venue.
I guess the law on illegal assembly is being tested nowadays seeing the anti-US protest in Kuala Lumpur led by UMNO Youth or did the police give them a permit?
For a nation like Malaysia that needs FDI , we should grant permits for such large assemblies only in public stadia where traffic is not disrupted and people are not inconvenienced. Perhaps a protest march should be restricted to not more than 100 persons with police approval.
What about the forum?
I learned the following:
The basic point is that the Constitution is the supreme basis of the law and Islam is a protected religion according the Constitution except that any laws created like Syariah has to fall within the Constitutional framework.
Judges and political leaders should not allow their religious background to cloud decisions that should be made according to constitutional laws.
Most Malaysians are still too “tiadapathetic” and have allowed politicians and religious leaders to exploit the situation so that even an educational forum can be opposed with such venom.
There are many cases where Malaysians cannot find justice as their situation falls between the civil and syariah courts and these Malaysians have to suffer.
More people realise the need for dialogue so that we can create better understanding for the future of Malaysia.
Photo: Bird-eye view of protestors from the 9th Floor.
posted by H J Angus @ 3:40 pm
5 Comments:
Angus,
The thing is, both The Star and NST gave contradictory reports on Sunday regarding the forum.
The Star painted a picture that the forum was all rosy albeit there were some protestors outside the hotel. The PAS representative was invited to the forum.
On the other hand, NST reported that the forum organisers were given "friendly advise" by the police to stop the forum given that the number of protestors outside are increasing significantly. Heeding the advise, the forum ended much earlier than scheduled.
Which is which???
Everyone will write based on their own perception and viewpoint.
For example, one report mentions 400 audience but another says 160 -perhaps all the police and SB in the room were counted.
I was in the room most of the time but did go to the lobby for a few moments - there was a lot of noise in the lobby but the police managed to control the crowd to some extent. It was an illegal gathering but it was just noisy though I heard they arrested one or two demonstrators.
We could observe the protestors from the 9th floor where the forum was held but after the meeting ended , a policewoman asked us politely not to look at the crowd below.
At first I was a little annoyed but on later discussion with my wife and son, they thought it was a safety precaution - someone could have sparked off an ugly incident by throwing something out the window.
I suppose, if we look at it in a different light, AT LEAST the police allowed people to assemble and protest (peacefully) (Freedom to Assemble).
I was not there and I assumed that no violence was committed.
Contrast that with the KLCC incident...
Angus,
Perhaps AAB should read your very succint summary, given his statement on 27 July to zip it on Article 11.
The note by yellowkingdom is alarming in that this is probably not an uncommon philosophy, especially in the non-urban areas in Malaysia. There is a need to distinguish between human rights and religion.
yellowkingdom
I am inclined to believe that all laws are man-made.
Religious leaders interpret whatever holy books and then make laws based on what has been written. But all holy books are also written by man.
But back to the Constitution:
The basic problem is that we have an article in the C that all Malays must be Muslims which actually removes a freedom of religion for Malays.
So it shows that the man-made C has a basic flaw.
If the Malays asked for this to be amended, do you think most of them will leave Islam?
I think not more than 10% will want to leave.
Maybe U can discuss with yr friend if you think this is not too sensitive.
Post a Comment
<< Home