These people are obviously ignorant of the facts:
The Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia (PPIM) and the Islamic NGOs, Heritage Associations, Malay Cultural Organisations and Related Bodies Cooperation Network (Pewaris) have lodged police reports against Selangor state executive councillor Teresa Kok.
The reports were made by Pewaris advisor Rahimuddin Md Harun and PPIM Complaints Officer Mohd Nor Imran Yusuf at the Sentul district police headquarters at 11am on Sunday.
The reports were lodged over an allegation by former Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo that Kok had tried to prohibit the 'azan' call to prayer at mosques and surau in Kota Damansara, Sri Serdang and Puchong Jaya. [The Star]
Let's get this straight, once and for all.
1. The complainants in Puchong were not complaining about the azan, they were complaining about ceramah broadcasts:
… the residents who signed the petition said they had never intended to protest against the use of loudspeakers for the azan.
Instead they have requested the mosque to lower the volume of the loudspeakers for the ceramah (religious talks) which often followed the prayers. [Malaysiakini]
2. The complainants forwarded their complaint in February to Satim Diman, when BN was still in power in Selangor:
The petition, signed by 189 residents, was handed over to Serdang state assemblyperson Mohamad Satim Diman from Umno in February and another copy given to the mosque authorities. Another copy was also sent to Kinrara DAP state assemblyperson and state exco Teresa Kok's office after the March 8 polls. [Malaysiakini]
3. Teresa Kok had nothing to do with the complaint or the complainants;
Masjid Kinrara, the mosque which is embroiled in an azan controversy, said DAP parliamentarian Teresa Kok was not involved in the petition to lower the volume of its loudspeakers.
According to Abdul Rahman Nasir, who is head of the mosque committee, Kok had never set foot in Masjid Kinrara to present the residents' petition. [Malaysiakini]
4. No one complained about the azan in Kota Damansara. The mosque in Kota Damansara did not broadcast the azan for a while because its PA system was down, not because there were complaints:
Masjid Kota Damansara officials have denied that their mosque had ceased sounding the azan from its loudspeakers due to pressure from non-Muslims.
They clarified that it was a damaged amplifier that resulted in the calls to prayers to be made without the aid of a PA system. Secretary of the three-week-old mosque Ahmad Redzuan Samsudin said a police report was lodged on Wednesday against former Selangor menteri besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo for claiming pressure from non-Muslims and a state exco-backed petition had forced them to stop making the azan through the loudspeaker.
'Last Saturday (Aug 30), lightning during a thunderstorm had struck and damaged the PA system. Thereafter, we borrowed equipment from the SMK Kota Damansara in Section 10, but problems with the wiring further delayed us from sounding the azans through the loudspeaker. 'There was no pressure from non-Muslims,' said Redzuan when contacted. [Malaysiakini]
Bloggers comments:-
“The general explanation by the police on why ISA was invoked does not explain at all why Teresa Kok should be considered a threat to national security.
The sheer injustice of it all has provoked widespread outrage and condemnation. Malaysians have been given another example of selective application of the laws where enforcement depends on which side of the political fence you are on.
If the police claimed they had no choice but to detain Teresa, then why did they allow the malicious blogger who started the whole matter remain free when this unemployed dentist and deposed chief minister might be inciting more racial tension with his mischievous blogging?
This obscene government is deaf, dumb and blind to the anger and outcry from Malaysians clamouring for Teresa Kok to be released. Only a corrupt government which can strong-arm its way through everything can have such a cavalier attitude to public opinion.
Teresa Kok’s case evoke great sympathy across party and racial lines. That she was jailed on a false slander while the slanderer goes untouched is especially galling. The fact that she’s a woman also helps.
The Chinese community is especially incensed. The longer she is held, the more harm done to MCA and Gerakan. Everyday that she is unjustly held will invite condemnation and bleed support for these two lapdog parties until they go to their Umno masters begging for her to be released.
The deputy IGP’s explanation of the ISA arrests have given rise to more questions.
His explanation that there was no case against Tan Hoon Cheng merely shows that she was reporting the truth- the truth that Ahmad Ismail had actually uttered those inflammatory words against the Chinese Malaysians. As such, would the police please take action against Ahmad?
Finally, how could Theresa Kok be a national threat when Muslims from the mosques in question have come forward to testify that she was never involved in petitioning the mosques using the PA system. In fact one of them even made a report against Khir Toyo. But did the police act on the report?
The more I read through the explanation given by the police, the more I find it ridiculous.
The ISA is only used when the police strongly believe the acts pose serious threats to public order. What serious threat has Teresa Kok posed to public order? She is innocent. Even the parties involved in the mosque issue have defended her. Not only that, they have identified Khir Toyo as the instigator.
If the police are really doing their job, Khir Toyo is the one they should arrest, not Teresa. It’s the same with Tan Hoon Cheng, instead of arresting Ahmad Imail and his merry men, the police went for the easy target.
As for RPK, is his blog really so dangerous? Ask his millions of readers and they will tell you that he has never instigated racial or religious tension. Instead, he preaches peace and tolerance. I suspect the government is afraid of RPK and the huge following he has.
Only in Malaysia we have police fighting for injustise, where innocent people are rounded up to safeguard the guilty. These people are all out to ruin my country and it cannot be allowed. They have not the country in mind, only self-interest. Their actions are disgusting.”
I am helpless but I know that the peace loving rakyat we will fight the cronies until your release. We will wait with hope.
God bless you Teresa.
The ruling govt has nothing to do except finding fault of others and their MPs are batu api..
What a joke of the year!…after independent for 51yrs still has not grown up?
What type of govt the M’sian voted? Warna Hitam dan Putih pun tak tahu nak beza macam mana nak perintah?… Waduh Waduh!
Kadavalei!!!! (Oh My God)
May God by yr side all the time…
Hey, guys, don’t you get it? It’s that Toyo fler’s way of getting back at Teresa for exposing all the dirty deeds that his previous state government did. It’s so obvious isn’t it? He is nothing but just another of those UMNO maggots who are openly flouting the laws of this country like it only belongs to their grandfathers!!! Fat chance!
Dear frontbench,
The complainants from Puchong should have not complained when it concerns any religious matter. The Chinese also have their opera during the Ghost festival. Have the other races made any complaint? The Indians also have their festivals etc, have other races made any complaint? Try staying beside the Indian Temple and where the Chinese opera are performing.
Every morning we have vendors selling their goods, honking away as they pass along the road. Have the occupants complained? Some years ago during Chinese New Year crackers are being lighted at odd hours of the nights and mornings. I used ear plugs and accept the situation.
Sure you can say”let’s get this straight, once and for all”; remember YB is under detention and is suffering by the hour, while the complainants are in the comforts of their homes. I have not been detained before but I can imagine what it is like. Have you? You can talk of the corruptions going on. Can you follow through?
No matter how polite your request will be on religious and race matters, it will never be taken or understood. Try asking a church to sing their hymns quietly?
You can give all the valid explanations you want, the authourities will always have an answer for their actions.
If you have been to a shareholders’ meeting you will realise that the majority shareholders calls the shots no matter how factual your reasons are. Sure, as a minority shareholder you can voice all your dis-satisfactions.
The solution is to keep away from sensitive issues.
lodging false police report is a crime and waste of tax payers’ money
HERE IS A COPY OF MY EMAIL TO THE UTUSAN MALAYSIA ONLINE:
TO THE OWNERS OF UTUSAN MALAYSIAL
This is to serve you a notice that starting from today, the real Malaysia Day, I will personally lead a campaign to boycott your stupid and rascist newspaper and all your related business including all companies purchaising advertisement space in your paper.
This is in response to your publication of lies regarding our Sassy MP who is now under ISA because of your publication of lies, taking the ALLEGATION by disgraced former CMs complaint as if they are the Koran truth. Utusan and this descendant of an Indun pendatang are equally responsible for the sufferring of an innocent MP who spent two thirds of her life serving her people.
My proof of your lies are simple.
Sassy MP will never insult the mosque and her moslem friends because her boss is a moslem and CM of Selangor. Therefore it is illogical and stupid for her to be accused of inciting racial hatred by petitioning to stop the AZAN. It is already proven that such petition had nothing to do with her, but are started by BN themselves.
Even the Wikipedia has this to Say about you
QUOTE:
Utusan Malaysia’s credibility as a newspaper has come under fire from many circles for its blatant practice of double standards in its reporting, especially with regard to politically-related news.[1][2] Statements by Chief Ministers in Opposition-held States have been taken out of context, manipulated, or otherwise downright fabricated.[3]
Of late, Utusan has also stoked racist sentiments with provocative headlines championing the New Economic Policy and Ketuanan Melayu.[4][5] In view of Utusan’s extreme racist rhetoric, the Opposition-led Perak state government has staged a boycott against the newspaper, with other Opposition states expected to follow suit.
Additionally, Utusan has also been criticized for publishing very little international news; the Foreign News section typically consists of only two to three pages out of 50 pages in total.
UNQUOTE:
THEREFORE starting today, all Malaysians who believe in justice are urged to stop buying your stupid newspaper, and all other magazines published by the UTUSAN GROUP.
All supproters are also urge not to buy from any companies that advertise in your paper, until they stop buying commercial space in you paper.
All supporters are also urge to identify all other business activities by the Utusan group and BOYCOT them too.
This boycott campaign will continue until Sassy MP is released and compensated a total of RM1 MILLION for every day she is under detention.
This email notice will be reproduced in every forum and blogsite, not just in Malaysia but all over the world.
LET THE WORLD KNOWS WHAT A BIG LIAR YOUR NEWSPAPER IS, AND THAT YOU ARE JUST A PROPAGANDA MACHINE FOR THE DICTATORIAL AND CORRUPT GOVERNMENT OF BARISAN NASIONAL AND UMNO.
This campaign will continue UNTIL the owners of this UTUSAN GROUP begs for mercy by kneeling down in prayer at Dataran Merdeka, and after paying compesation to all ISA detainee
Signed: Justice and Freedom Fighter
The ISA detention on Teresa, in particular, reflects very badly on AAB government practise of discriminate prosecuetion of government disenters. It seems that UMNO people e.g Khir Toyol and Ahmad Ismail are exempted while the opposition are targetted for detention without evidence which is precisely why ISA was used on Teresa, RPK and the sinchew reporter. This time ISA were used on Selangor state government senior EXCO member, a prominent blogger and a helpless journalist who happened to cover a racist campaigner in the PP bye election.
The people are still puzzled when AAB said that ISA is a good and fair law. The question to be put to AAB is how can a law that arrest people without any logical explanation and devoid of reason is a good and fair one. A law which has been abused by BN and the police without looking at the realities of the situation is a good and fair law? A law that arrest a journalist who reported a racist comment truthfully in a by election is good and fair. A law that police “tangkap dulu dan cakap kemudian” is fair and good? A person who has reasonable knowledge and intelligence of what is fairness and honesty would disagree that the law is fair and just.
Utusan Melayu (malaysia) Berhad – P.UTM- Profile
Website: http://www.utusan.com.my
Phone: +60 3 9287 7777
Address:
No 8 Jalan Pudu Ulu
56100 Cheras Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur 55200
Company Description
Utusan Melayu (Malaysia) Berhad. The Group’s principal activities are the publishing and distributing of newspapers, magazines and books and also print and outdoor advertising. Other activities include printing of magazines and books, information technology and multimedia, investment holding and provision of management services. The Group operates in Malaysia. Publishing, distrbn & advtmt acctd for 96% of 2005 revs; Printing, 2%; Info tech & multimedia, 2% & Inv hldg & oth, nom
Key People
Executive Chairman Mohamed Hashim Ahmad Makaruddin
Chief Financial Officer W. Nor Asmah
Secretary Sharina Saidon
Above is the information I could gather about Utusan Melayu in the net. Could anyone be more specific in giving the exact names of the companies they are involved?
Thanks.
Dear Sassy MP
Malaysia’s future will be more promising if we have more MPs like you who always have people’s interests on mind and work really hard to safeguard them. Unfortunately, the majority in Malaysia’s political arena are not like you.
I always revere you for you have displayed the qualities a true politician should have.
You will always have the full support of the people who want a prosperous Malaysia.
When the going gets tough, the tough gets going.
You have to be tough enough to enter the political arena, and have to be even tougher if you want to fight for justice, to fight against injustice,to speak the truth, to stand up for the oppressed, to confront those who oppress, to unveil lies and foul deeds, to condemn corruption and so on, as in doing so, you are bound to face all kinds of obstacles and threats.
The journey to create a country which is clean, where there is no corruption, no discrimination in every aspect, where the government is capable and highly efficient, where the people respect one another and live harmoniously, where each and every one is equal, has never been easy.
Yes, it is not easy, but not unachievable.
We really need more politicians of high caliber, integrity, good conscience and all other qualities, like you, to lead the people and the country towards this goal.
We will always stand by you, Sassy MP.