13 January, 2009
Source : Nanyang Siang Pau 11th Jan 2009
Title : Participate the activity of Anti War Coalition at Dataran Merdeka, Police arrest Charles and 21 people
Source : Oriental Daily 11th Jan 2009
Title : Protest over Israel’s attack to Gaza, Police arrest 21 including a MP
Source : China Press 11th Jan 2009
Title : Anti War Coalition assembly : 2 MPs and 19 have been arrested, KL Police Chief : Released after questioned
12 January, 2009
Source : Malaysian Insider
By Lee Wei Lian and Shannon Teoh
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 12 – Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar defended the arrests of leaders of the Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) organised anti-war march last Saturday, pointing out that the Sri Lanka government attacks on the Tamil Tigers should not have been included in the protest.
“If you want to demonstrate in respect of the Palestinian cause, then don’t mix it up with the Sri Lanka cause,” he said at the sidelines of the special parliamentary session on Gaza today.
“The PSM protests were more for Sri Lanka which is a different cause. We cannot have protests in support of separatists movements. They also used curse words against the police,” he told The Malaysian Insider.
“They had many placards in support of separatists in Sri Lanka.”
The Home Minister was commenting on why the police allowed a mammoth protest last Friday against Israel’s invasion of Gaza, but moved quickly to stop the PSM march.
His remarks are, however, inconsistent with that of the police who claimed that the PSM protesters did not have a permit for the rally, and refused to disperse, while those who protested on Friday had dispersed when asked to by police.
In an immediate response, Klang DAP lawmaker Charles Santiago, who was also among 21 people arrested on Saturday, asked: “Is that worse than burning flags?”
“What is the difference? They both want separate states.”
He added that the government should exercise more restraint in the matter as “it was a peaceful demonstration against violence and agitation against innocent people across the world.”
DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng today told Parliament that it was not proper for the police to arrest those who were “merely doing their duty.”
“They were not against BN, Umno or the Prime Minister but Israeli violence,” he said.
However, MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, in reply, expressed his shock that Lim was using the conflict as a way to compel people to demonstrate.
“Yes, we can have our own stand to give moral support to the Palestinians but not to use it as a platform for your own political purposes,” he said.
12 January, 2009
Source : NST
2009/01/12
KUALA LUMPUR: “What’s being arrested compared to the hundreds of people being killed in Gaza?”
With this attitude firmly in mind, Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) president Dr Nasir Hashim pledged to continue supporting any moves to condemn the atrocities committed by Israel in the troubled Gaza region.
Kota Damansara assemblyman Dr Nasir, along with Klang MP Charles Santiago of DAP and PSM secretary-general S. Arutchelvam, were among 21 people held at a candlelight vigil at Dataran Merdeka on Saturday night.
Dr Nasir said he was surprised that the police cracked down on the vigil, as similar gatherings took place concurrently in Johor, Penang, Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Perak without incident.
“The sending of the memo to the US embassy on Friday, which we were a part of, did not have a police permit either.
“We were surprised that they stopped us from having our vigil. We did not block any roads or cause any problems. This is giving the country a bad name.
“This is not about Jews and Muslims. It is about the occupation of land. We are upset that the Arab countries are just puppets and that the United Nations is keeping quiet.”
Santiago voiced his bewilderment that the police had selectively chosen to clamp down on their vigil.
“This is contradictory and smacks of double standards. The government is lobbying hard for a ceasefire there, but this is happening here.
“Something is not right somewhere. Since when have candles become a threat to national security? It’s not as if we were carrying guns or bombs.”
Santiago was also upset about the detention of a 13-year-old boy, who had accompanied his parents to the vigil.
“I told an officer that there were laws against the detention of minors and of keeping them with adults. He was apologetic, but said he was merely following orders.
“The police have to educate themselves. They have to change because people and society are changing, too.”
Saturday night’s gathering saw about 150 people taking part to protest the wars in Gaza and Sri Lanka. However, it was called off when police arrested 21 people for not having a permit for the gathering.
They were released past midnight, after their statements had been recorded at the Dang Wangi police district.
12 January, 2009
Sumber : Sinar Harian
SHAH ALAM – Pemimpin Pakatan Rakyat (PR) yang ditahan polis setelah menyertai perhimpunan nyalaan lilin anti-perang di Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur, kelmarin mempertikaikan tindakan pihak berkuasa.
Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Kota Damansara, Dr Mohd Nasir Hashim yang membantah penahanan terbabit menganggap tindakan polis itu seharusnya tidak berlaku kerana beliau dan Ahli Parlimen Klang, Charles Santiago cuba berunding secara baik dengan pihak polis.
“Polis tidak seharusnya menahan kami yang menyertai perhimpunan terbabit kerana di negeri-negeri lain seperti Johor, Perak, Pulau Pinang dan seluruh dunia amnya tidak ada sebarang tahanan dibuat.
“Namun polis langsung tidak mahu bertolak ansur walaupun kami cuba untuk berunding pada malam itu bagi menyelesaikan masalah berkenaan,” katanya ketika dihubungi Sinar Harian, semalam.
Dr Nasir berkata demikian sebagai mengulas tindakan polis menahan 21 orang termasuk Ketua Pemuda Pas Wilayah Persekutuan, Kamaruzzaman Mohamad, Penyelaras Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (Jerit), Arutchelvan Subramaniam, Ahli Parlimen Klang, Charles Santiago dan beberapa orang aktivis Suaram.
Menurutnya, seorang remaja berumur 13 tahun dan lima wanita antara 21 orang yang ditahan dalam perhimpunan aman mengecam tindakan kejam dan ganas Zionis terhadap umat Islam Palestin itu.
“Remaja terbabit dipercayai ditahan bersama ibunya yang menyertai perhimpunan itu pada malam kelmarin,” katanya.
Nasir berkata, beliau dan 20 lagi yang ditahan malam itu telah dibawa ke Balai Polis Dang Wangi pada jam 8.30 malam dan ditahan kira-kira tiga jam setengah di balai berkenaan untuk soal siasat.
“Saya memang tidak berpuas hati dan kesal dengan tindakan itu kerana di sini menunjukkan bahawa polis seperti pilih kasih dan tidak ada penyelarasan dalam melaksanakan tugas,” katanya.
Sementara itu, Ahli Parlimen Klang, Charles Santiago ketika dihubungi berkata, tindakan polis itu dilihat seperti menyokong kekejaman Israel terhadap umat Islam di Palestin.
“Bukan sahaja di Malaysia malah seluruh dunia turut menentang keras kekejaman Israel itu, jadi mengapa polis melarang perhimpunan untuk menyatakan rasa protes terhadap keganasan Zionis Israel itu,” katanya.
Beliau berkata, tindakan itu juga telah mencemarkan imej Malaysia kerana sebelum ini kerajaan dan Perdana Menteri turut menentang keganasan yang dilakukan tentera Israel itu, namun kini polis sendiri menghalang tindakan protes berkenaan.
“Polis sepatutnya memberikan peluang dan masa untuk kita menyatakan bantahan terhadap kekejaman itu kerana ini melibatkan soal kemanusiaan dan keselamatan dunia,” katanya.
12 January, 2009
PRESS STATEMENT
Date : 12th Jan 2009
Coalition Against the War activists, NGOs , opposition political party members and myself were forced to cut short a candle light vigil which was planned to protest against Israeli aggression on the Gaza strip and the killings of Tamils by the Sri Lankan government.
The group was stopped by the police as we approached Dataran Merdeka. Hundreds of anti-riot police, armed with baton and shield, moved in on us. It was as if we were a group of militants, Sri Lankan army personnel or worse Israeli aggressors.
Fervent efforts to negotiate with the police drew to a naught. All we asked for was a 30-minute time frame to register our protest against the Israeli Armed Forces for the continued air and ground strikes that were killing hundreds of Palestinians and condemn the Sri Lankan military for the brutal attacks against Tamils – women and children included.
In return for our request, the police gave us one minute to disperse. Our appeals fell on deaf ears. The police were clearly acting on orders from above.
The police detained 21 people including a 13 year old student. Also, detained were elected representatives Abdullah Sani (MP – Kuala Langat, Dr Nasir Hashim (ADUN Kota Damansara) and myself.
I strongly condemn the high handedness of the police force in handling a small group of people who were holding burning candles to bring awareness about the plight of the 1.5 million people of Gaza and millions more in Sri Lanka.
Their conduct smacks of arrogance and demonstrates abuse of the powers vested in their hands.
The attitude by the police is also an insult to the emergency Parliament sitting on Monday, called to discuss the Middle East conflict. The Parliament is expected to pass a bill condemning Israel for its continuing bombardment of the Gaza strip.
After this event, the sitting makes no sense to me.
More than that, it makes a mockery of Malaysia’s stand of the Palestinian issue. It also makes us doubt the sincerity of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his cabinet ministers who have pledged support for the Palestinian cause to the point of toying with the idea of getting school children to protest on the streets.
I would also like to draw attention to the fact that the police had facilitated demonstrations against Israel and its main ally the United States held outside the US Embassy. The police also did nothing to stop a group of people from burning US flags in Kampung Baru.
Therefore, I can only conclude that the police exercise double standards when dealing with protests organised by civil societies, non-governmnental organisations and opposition political parties.
I strongly call upon IGP Musa Hassan to issue an apology on the unacceptable behaviour of his officers. I also urge Abdullah to issue a strong warning to the police force.
Charles Santiago
Member of Parliament, Klang
016-6267797
12 January, 2009
Source : youtube / malaysiakini
11 January, 2009
Sumber : Harakah Daily
Mohd Khalil Abdullah
Sat | Jan 10, 09 | 9:03:01 pm MYT
KUALA LUMPUR, 10 Jan (Hrkh) – Seramai 21 orang ditahan polis sebentar tadi di Dataran Merdeka,Kuala Lumpur ketika orang ramai berhimpun untuk vigil anjuran Gabungan Anti Perang.
Menurut Norlaila Othman salah seorang aktivis yang turut ditahan, pihak polis telah membuat provokasi sehinggakan kumpulan yang berhimpun tidak berkesempatan untuk bersurai.
Sebelum itu, Harakahdaily dimaklumkan para peserta perhimpunan telah berhimpun di sekitar bangunan Majlis Peguam dan mula berarak ke Dataran Merdeka.
Ketika menghampiri kawasan Dataran Merdeka, para aktivis mula memasang lilin dan membuka ‘banner’ ‘anti perang’ tetapi telah dihalang oleh pihak polis atas alasan perhimpunan tersebut adalah perhimpunan haram dan tidak mendapat permit.
Ketika itu, Ahli Parlimen Klang, Charles Santiago dan Adun Kota Damansara, Dr Mohd Nasir Hashim cuba untuk berunding tetapi tidak dilayan.
Sementara itu, anggota cawangan khas yang turut berada di lokasi perhimpunan telah mula membuat provokasi dengan membuat bising,marah-marah dan merampas ‘banner’ yang dibawa.
Tambah Norlaila, setelah itu, seluruh kawasan tersebut telah dikepung oleh pihak polis dan tidak memberi peluang untuk para aktivis beredar.
Katanya, pihak polis kemudian telah mengeluarkan arahan untuk menangkap semua yang berkumpul.
Antara yang ditahan dan dibawa ke Balai Polis Dang Wangi ketika ini ialah Charles Santiago, Dr Nasir, Norlaila, Ahli Parlimen Kuala Langat,Abdullah Sani;Setiausaha Agung Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM),S Arutchelvan;Ketua Pemuda PAS Wilayah Persekutuan,Kamaruzaman Mohamad; Aktivis PSM, Nashita dan anaknya Ammar. – mks
11 January, 2009
source : anilnetto.com
Twenty one people were arrested at an anti-war vigil held in Dataran Merdeka in KL tonight. The event was attended by some 200 people. More were arriving when police made the arrests at 8.45pm.
Among them were Klang MP Charles Santiago, Kuala Langat MP Abdullah Sani (PKR), Selangor state assembly member Dr Nasir Hashim and PSM secretary general Arutchelvan.
When contacted just before 11.00pm, Charles said he had been released on police bail and he expected the rest to be released one by one.
Over in Penang, a similar anti-war vigil, attended by over 100 activists and concerned Malaysians, took place without incident. Police, however, kept a close eye and snapped lots of pictures as usual.
Charles said he tried to talk to police and persuade them that the vigil was in solidarity with the people of Gaza. He told them the participants at the vigil were also supporting the Malaysian government’s position in highlighting the issue in the international arena. “I told them I personally have friends in Gaza who have to face the bombing at this time.”
But his pleas fell on deaf ears.
11 January, 2009
Source : Malaysiakini BM version
Jan 10, 09 11:09pm Polis menahan 21 orang termasuk ahli Parlimen Klang, Charles Santiago dan beberapa pemimpin PSM, di perhimpunan nyalaan lilin anti-perang di Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur malam ini.
Upacara itu dianjurkan oleh Gabungan Anti-Perang sebagai tanda sokongan kepada mangsa perang di Palestin dan Sri Lanka.
Kira-kira 100 anggota polis kelihatan di situ bagi mengawal dan menyuraikan orang ramai.
Polis mengarah orang ramai bersurai dan 21 orang ditahan kerana gagal meninggalkan kawasan tersebut.
Mereka kemudiannya dibawa ke balai polis Dang Wangi.
Antara mereka yang ditahan ialah pemimpin Parti Sosialis Malaysia, Dr Nasir Hashim dan S Arutchelvan dan beberapa aktivis dari Suaram dan Jerit. Nasir juga merupakan wakil rakyat Kota Damansara.
Mereka dipercayai disiasat kerana menyertai perhimpunan haram.
Sekumpulan kecil orang ramai berkumpul di balai polis berkenaan bagi menunjukkan sokongan kepada mereka yang ditahan. Mereka diawasi oleh anggota Unit Simpanan Persekutuan (FRU).
Ini adalah kali pertama polis bertindak terhadap perhimpunan anti-perang sejak kebelakangan ini.
Semalam, ribuan orang menyertai perarakan ke Kedutaan Amerika untuk membantah serangan Israel di Gaza tanpa campurtangan polis.
Begitu juga dengan kumpulan yang mengadakan bantahan yang sama di Kampung Baru. Mereka juga dibenarkan membakar bendera Amerika dan Israel di tengah-tengah jalan tengahari semalam tanpa campurtangan polis.
11 January, 2009
Source : Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 10 — Police arrested 21 people including eight women and a 15-year-old boy at Dataran Merdeka tonight after they did not heed an order to disperse.
Among those held were Kota Damansara assemblyman Dr Mohd Nasir Hashim, Klang MP Charles Santiago and Jerit coordinator S. Arutchelvan, said Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Mohammad Sabtu Osman.
“They were arrested while gathering at the Dataran and taken to the Tun HS Lee police station for questioning,” he added.
The gathering was organised by Parti Sosialis Malaysia to protest the conflict in Gaza and Sri Lanka.
The group was seen marching from the compound of the Bar Council building to Dataran Merdeka at about 8pm and police moved in half an hour later after they refused to disperse. — Bernama
Charles Santiago 
