Press Release by Civil Society Organisations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

3pm, 15 August 2017

CONDEMN AND REJECT POLITICAL VIOLENCE

It was reported that several youths lit flares, threw chairs and shoes at the former Prime Minister, Dr. Mahathir Mohamad at the “Nothing to Hide 2.0” forum in Shah Alam on 13 August 2017.

Such despicable behaviour is fast becoming a growing trend in the Malaysian public space with threats of violence or actual violent actions towards politicians, activists and ordinary Malaysians who expressed their opinions concerning the state of Malaysian society and politics. These heinous acts of political gangsterism are aimed at intimidating the democratic contestation of ideas and silencing dissenting opinions.

This trend is worrying particularly with the looming General Elections. Such unruly and criminal behaviour, if left unchecked will inevitably escalate to outbreaks of political violence during the campaigning period.

The Civil Society Organisations listed below:

1. call upon all peace loving Malaysians irrespective of political views to condemn and reject all forms of political violence as well as any individual and organisation that try to directly or indirectly justify violence or protect the assailants;

2. urge all political parties to strongly remind their supporters that violence will not be tolerated and to take all precautions to ensure the safety of participants at their public rallies;

3. implore all sides to utilise the channel of engagement and civil discourse to solve problems rather than resort to violence and uncivilised means.

4. strongly urge the police to immediately investigate and promptly apprehend the masterminds and perpetrators of this ruthless subversion of our democracy who must be swiftly prosecuted and convicted to show there is no impunity for political violence in Malaysia.

For enquiries, please contact statement coordinator, Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia (GBM) at 03 2272 3594 or 017 3985 606 or infogpoam@gmail.com)

Endorsed by the following Civil Society Organisations:

1.All Women’s Action Society (AWAM) 妇女行动协会
2.Angkatan Warga Aman Malaysia (WargaAMAN) 马来西亚和平份子阵线
3.Association of Women Lawyers Malaysia (AWL) 妇女律师协会
4.Baramkini當今峇南
5.Community Development Centre (CDC) 社区发展中心
6.ENGAGE愿景工程
7.Federation Of Malaysian Indian Organisation (PRIMA) 马来西亚印裔组织联合总会
8.Greenfriends Sabah (GF-Sabah) 沙巴绿色之友
9.G25
10.Institute For Development Of Alternative Living (IDEAL) 另类生活发展研究所
11.Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia (JOAS) 全马来西亚原住民网络
12.Jaringan Rakyat Tertinda (JERIT) 受压迫人民阵线
13.JIHAD for JUSTICE正义圣战组织
14.Kuen Cheng Alumni Association (KCAA) 坤成校友会
15.Kumpulan Aktivis Mahasiswa Independen (KAMI) 独立学生份子组织
16.Kuala Lumpur Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) 隆雪中华大会堂
17.LLG Cultural Development Centre (LLG) 林连玉基金
18.Malaysian Indians Progressive Association (MIPAS) 马来西亚印裔进步协会
19.Malaysian Indians Transformation Action Team (MITRA) 马来西亚印裔转型行动团队
20.Malaysian Physicians for Social Responsibility (MPSR) 马来西亚内科医生社会责任组织
21.Malaysian Youth Care Association (PRIHATIN) 马来西亚青年关怀协会
22.Merdeka University Berhad (MUB) 独立大学有限公司
23.Muslim Professionals Forum (MPF) 穆斯林人士专业论坛
24.National Human Rights Society (HAKAM) 全国人权社团
25.National Indian Rights Action Team (NIAT) 全国印裔权益行动组织
26.Negeri Sembilan Chinese Assembly Hall (NSCAH) 森美兰中华大会堂
27.ONE RACE-HUMAN RACE人类大同组织
28.Oriental Hearts and Mind Study Institute (OHMSI) 东方思想研究机构
29.Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara (Aliran) 国民醒觉运动
30.Persatuan Masyarakat Selangor dan Wilayah Persekutuan (PERMAS) 雪隆社区协会
31.Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusia (PROHAM) 人权促进协会
32.Persatuan Rapat Malaysia (RAPAT) 马来西亚紧密协会
33.Pertubuhan IKRAM Malaysia (IKRAM) 马来西亚伊斯兰教革新组织
34.Plantation Resource Centre (PRC) 种植园资源中心
35.Projek Dialog (PD) 对话论坛圈
36.Pusat KOMAS 社区传播中心
37.Sabah Women’s Action (SAWO) 沙巴妇女行动组织
38.Save Rivers 砂拉越拯救河流组织
39.Saya Bangsa Malaysia (SABM) 马来西亚之子
40.Sisters in Islam (SIS) 伊斯兰姐妹
41.Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) 大马人民之声
42.Tamil Foundation (TF) 淡米尔基金会
43.TENAGANITA妇女力量
44.Tindak Malaysia (TM) 行动大马组织
45.WE ARE MALAYSIANS我们是大马人
46.Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) 妇女援助组织
47.Women’s Centre for Change, Penang (WCC) 妇女醒觉中心
48.Women Development Organisation of Malaysia PJ Branch大马妇女发展机八打灵分会
49.Writer Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI) 维护媒体独立撰稿人联盟

Related Posts