Teresa Kok’s press statement
I have been released after being detained in solitary confinement in a 6-by-8 holding cell for seven days under the Internal Security Act (ISA). I was informed by the police that they detained me under section 73(1) of Internal Security Act 1960, which means I have incited racial and religious tension and conflict.
After being detained for seven days under the guise of so-called investigations, the police failed to produce any evidence or proof of me being involved in the activities of causing racial and religious tension. They were only able to ask me few questions based entirely on the false and malicious article written by Zaini Hassan under the topic ‘Azan, Jawi, JAIS, UiTM dan ba-alif-ba-ya’ that was published in Utusan Malaysia on Sept 10, 2008.
The three main questions that the investigation officers asked me were:
1. whether I have mobilised a group of residents at Bandar Kinrara to present a petition to oppose to the azan at the Bandar Kinrara mosque;
2. whether I have made a statement that 30 percent of the Selangor Islamic Department (JAIS) allocation is to be given to other non-Islam religious bodies; and
3. whether I have opposed to the Jawi-wording road signages in Kuala Lumpur.
I denied the first two accusations as I did not do any such things as accused. I also told them that the issue of opposing Jawi road signages in Kuala Lumpur were done in January/February 2008 at the request and following the pressure of resident associations.
The resident associations, particularly in Taman Seputeh, were most unhappy because many of the road signages were changed arbitrarily by DBKL a few months before and changed again soon after, this time with Jawi wordings. They were strongly opposed to this kind of wastage of public funds by DBKL.
I was quite surprised that there were no other questions posed to me besides these few main questions.
The ISA is meant to detain people who threaten national security. The three issues stated above have nothing to do with national security. If the police wanted to carry out investigation on me, they can always ask me to give statements in any of the police station and there was absolutely no need to detain me under the ISA for seven days. This is a phenomenal abuse of the power of police under the ISA.
Besides, it is nonsensical for the police to detain me under the ISA merely based on the unsubstantiated article written by an irresponsible columnist in Utusan Malaysia. How can they regard that article as the gospel truth without investigating the writer in the first place? How can Utusan Malaysia publish it without verifying the facts?
I wish to ask the police whether they have called Zaini and Utusan Malaysia’s editors for questioning before and after my detention.
I know that the imam of Bandar Kinrara mosque has publicly denied that I was involved in the Puchong residents petition against azan of his mosque on Sept 13. I am also quite surprised to read in the New Straits Times dated Sept 19 that the official of the Bandar Kinrara mosque was called by the Dang Wangi police for statement recording only yesterday afternoon.
Why did the police do it so late, one week after I was arrested? Why didn’t they check their facts first before they arrest me and put me behind bars?
I see my detention as a ploy by Umno to try to cover up the embarrassment and the outrage of the racist statements made by (ex-Bukit Bendera Umno division chief) Ahmad Ismail in Penang. I wonder why did they choose an innocent person like me as I have never made any racist statements or racist speeches in the past?
I have lodged the police report on Sept 17, 2008 against Utusan Malaysia, Zaini and Dr Mohd Khir Toyo for criminal defamation. I would therefore urge the police to investigate Utusan Malaysia’s editors, those racist bloggers and Khir Toyo under the Penal Code.
As I have mentioned in my previous lawyer’s visit, I will sue Utusan Malaysia, Zaini and Khir Toyo. I have also instructed my lawyers to sue the Malaysian government for my unlawful arrest and detention.
As I am free from ISA detention today, I also call for the release of Raja Petra Kamarudin, the Hindraf Five and all other 60 over detainees under the draconian ISA.
I would also like to thank all politicians in the ruling parties as well as in the Pakatan Rakyat, NGOs, churches and all social organisations who have campaigned and prayed for my release.
TERESA KOK
Seputeh MP
Selangor senior exco
Kinrara state assemblyperson
Hi YB, please have a good rest before you move into any action. They just want to make you suffer for a while.
Remember they have the law on their side to play with.
I hope some of the residents in your constituency will not associate you with anything to do with our Official Religion or race.
i felt like i wanted to cry seeing u in your release video
i support you in suing the police, government, utusan.
how dare they cause chaos in this country.
nick chan abdullah
This is the same message I had posted on YB LKS’s blog under Clear Conscience Mirror. It is to cheer you up. You can count on my next election (snap or general) vote.
Looking at the 3 questions Teresa was questioned about by the police intelligence unit is disgusting to confirm the motive behind her ISA. It is either “politically motivated” for the police to act or it goes to tell the entire world that there is lacking professionalism in the way the intelligence is being carried out. All such questions could have been asked if the police bothers to call Teresa to the police station; but instead resorting to the ISA to detain just to ask these 3 questions is laughing stock of our police professionalism.
It also shows the entire world that there is selective application of the ISA on different people in the Malaysian society. The perpetrators got scott-free while the innocent innocently jailed and confined. Where is the justice? Let PRU 13 be the deciding time to wipe out the oppressing forces.
Teresa, God is with you. We had committed you to God in our prayers and He has worked it out today for your release. God is supreme (not others) in this land and only those who believe in Him shall have salvation.
In our religious faith, we always believe that no one can judge another. Only God can do so. Who is to judge you are a threat to Malaysia? Nobody except God. That’s why God worked it out to ensure you are saved, you are blessed (because the ISA detention gave you a lot publicity and support for moving towards a just society in Malaysia) and empowered to carry out what God wanted all of us to do. God bless you and Malaysia.
Let’s not forget to press on for RPK, the Hindraf 5, and the unrepresented ISA detainees still languishing in Kamunting. They deserve our help as well. RPK, for one, the unsung hero deserves critical attention by all parties to demand his immediate release coming from all walks of life; whether from the Pakatan Rakyat or any sane Malaysian from both the political divide. His struggle is for the people of Malaysia, thus it has to be by the people of Malaysia to help to free him. God will also be with him and He will have a way to work it out for RPK.
Malaysians of any faith must always remember there is judgment day that we will face; for the things that we do here on this earthly world. The wrath each and every one of us faces depends on what “good deeds” were being carried out by us. Beware and be fearful. NoT even those in power or those who created power unto themselves are exempted from this. So AAB, Syed Hamid, the police and all the others in UMNO………what’s your take?
The ball is in their court!!!
Glad u r release. As ordinary malaysian, it is shocking to hear yr account. The whole ruse is about giving face to UMNO’s warlords (after they reprimanded Ahmad ismail) n u became their scapegoats). I m sad for our Royal Malaysian Police..a tarnished reputation.
Nevertheless,I believe one day we will get it right, that day we will be make proud as Malaysian.
sue them! this is so outrageous! the culprits are let off and the real yang berkhidmat is victimized. This cannot be allow to continue.
do take some rest to recover your spirit. you know the people is with you. god bless.
Teresa kok, u make as proud to be Malaysian, courage n truth in the face of injustices.
People n politician like u make us feel good. Give us our courage n sense of dignity back. Tq again
YB Teresa, saya dan keluarga mengucapkan tahniah diatas pembebasan dari ISA. Kekejaman kerajaan BN. Saya berharap YB pulih dari kesakitan. Saya percaya yg YB tidak melakukan perkara tersebut. Jangan risau, hanya orang yg takut sahaja yg tidak berani ke depan.
Bagi saya sekeluarga YB patut menyaman kerajaan keran menyalah-gunakan kuasa dengan penangkapan YB, RPK dan wartawan. Begitu juga tahanan ISA yg lain. Jika bersalah, mahkamahlah tempat untuk diadili.
YB perjuangkanlah rakyat pelbagai kaum. Saya sering-kali membaca berita YB dari Sinar Harian dan kagum MP atau ADUN Pakatan Rakyat turun padang melihat masalah rakyat tidak kira warna kulit, bangsa mahupun agama. MP dan ADUN PR perlu bekerja keras demi kesejahteraan Malaysia yg tercinta.
TERUSKAN USAHA MURNIMU SEPERTI KATA PEPATAH ALANG-ALANG SELUK PEKASAM BIAR SAMPAI KE PANGKAL LENGANG….MALAYSIA BARU YG TERCINTA….
Sympathy to MP Teresa Kok!
No matter how-&-what ‘evil-devils’ statement, percent to believe will be =0! I, rakyat M’sia, will everlasting alongside MP of Pakatan Rakyat(PR), vote and support MP Teresa Kok!
To evil-devil, only one way, defeat (or sue) and destroy them!
Tears drop, glad to have you back!
TQ.
Warmest regards.
YB,
Everyone knows for a fact that your arrest and that of the others is a political ploy to divert the in-fighting within UMNO. As all Malaysian knows, UMNO is bankrupt of ideas and have a lot of dirty linens in their closet. Among the most moronic is the incompetent Deputy IGP and the Home Minster. Nevertheless, let this not deter you from fighting for the greater good for all Malaysian.
Looking at your track record, I am very sure that this ugly episode that UMNO imposed on you will give you greater courage and determination and further resolve to continue to speak the truth for the betterment of the society and all Malaysian at large.
Make no mistake, all righteous thinking Malaysian will feel for you in your sacrifices and is supporting your efforts in making Malaysia a better country.
SALUTE
Hi, I just wanna highlight some missing points in your press statement…
but before this, welcome back and way to go! 😉
The press statement could be more complete if you could give a little bit more mention about the detention of RPK and Ms Tan Hoon Cheng… 🙂
And also, you should not forget to thank the rakyat and supporters all over the country who attended a number of candlelight vigil for you… 😉
Anyway, kindly share your experience to us, and stay active in pushing through the abolish of ISA… 😀
(While those points were not in the statement, I commented on them during the press conference. – tk)
Teresa, faith can move mountain. You don’t have balls but you have gut. I respect you and you deserve this respect.
I have been your strong supporter and I always be. Thumb up to you. I hope you will fight till the end for rightousness and justice. Go for it,go,go,go. May the blessing of God be always with you.
Thank God that you are released. We are really joyous and hope that your spirit is up. Keep your spirit Up, because you are now a cause celebri, now that you have tasted prisoner of conscious stautus, you are among the great leaders like Asia’s father Mahatma Ghandhi,Africa’s father Mr. Nelson Mandela.God bless you and your parents who would have had the courage to go through this trouble.
This clearly showed that our police instead of upholding the justice system and maintaining law and order, they are helping their “masters” to arrest innocent people at their whims and fancies.
I want to ask the police whether they have called that racialistic Zaini and those hopeless bunch of no-good Utusan Malaysia’s editors for questioning before they simply slam ISA on innocent people. Imagine, if Teresa parliament member, what will happen if those arrested are ordinary citizens like us. God help us.
I would encourage Teresa to sue all these dirty crooked bums till kingdom comes. Justice must be done to them.
Even the imam came to Teresa help. That also show we have good dedicated muslims all around us and are not afraid to voice their concerns irrespective of race and religion.
Teresa
as you clearly pointed out, your arrest is clearly unjustifiable.
is wrongful arrest and detention a crime? you might want to consider suing the relevant officials for ordering this outrage.
the name of Malaysia is drag through mud and for whose benefit?
on the bright side,
1) the resume of a BN Chief Minister does not carry an ISA detention while a DAP one has such a mark, so with your 7 day spell, well, Teresa as CM for N Sembilan since the Minangkabaus have women as head of family anyway? 🙂
2) your next GE campaign been paid for by the BN and PDRM so you can save some $$$
If those three supposedly ‘problems’ are deemed as a threat to national security, and our beloved YB is taken in under ISA, then, what do you call, one GOON who wanted Ms. Tan of Sin Chew to be shot and the waving of the keris, of another GOON, and for it to be bathe in the blood of the RAKYAT as?
A change of the government?
Who then in reality is a real threat to national security?
Present government behaving like gangster. You detention under ISA have angered many. This government have lost it completely. Instead of prosecuting the liars and the corrupt they are targeting the innocent. Sickening !!!!
Najib Hopes Teresa Kok’s Release Will Abate Furore Over ISA
PEKAN, Sept 19 (Bernama) — Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak hopes that the release of Seputeh member of parliament Teresa Kok from the Internal Security Act (ISA) Friday will help subdue the furore over detentions under the Act.
The deputy prime minister said he welcomed Kok’s release if the police felt that it was the appropriate thing to do.
“It’s the police’s decision and I welcome it if it’s apt. At the same time, it shows that the government places importance on peace and security in the country,” he told reporters after the handing over of “zakat” (tithe) for the Pekan parliamentary constituency here.
Kok, who is also a Selangor state executive councillor, was released from detention under Section 73(1) of the ISA at 1.30pm Friday after eight days for alleged racial and religious incitement.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said in a statement that police were satisfied with the cooperation given by Kok during the investigation and saw no reason to detain her any further.
— BERNAMA
——————————————————
After investigation why is Khir Toyol and the Utusan reporter not detain under ISA for creating racial disharmony ????
YB Teresa.
Selamat bebas dari Tahanan ISA. dan saya membantah penggunaan ISA terhadap YB.
Memandangkan YB tidak menafikan dakwaan ke 3 iaitu berkenaan Papan tanda Jawi.
Rakyat boleh menerima alasan pembaziran DBKL kerana ianya wang Rakyat.
Walaubagaimanapun, Bantahan terhadap pembaziran DBKL itu juga boleh dibuat dengan tidak mempersoalkan tulisan jawi yang ada pada Papan tanda itu.
Apabila tulisan jawi, warisan 700 tahun orang Melayu dipersoalkan pada bantahan itu, ia melibatkan sensitiviti kaum.
Oleh itu saya tetap menuntut YB Teresa untuk memohon maaf secara terbuka di atas kesilapan mempersoalkan tulisan jawi walaupun ianya dilakukan untuk membantah pembaziran DBKL.
Sekian.
Hasbullah Pit,
either you are blind, deaf or stupid.
It has already been proven that Mother Teresa also innocent on the charge that she politicised the Jawi writing…
You moslems can write jawi all over the world, that is not our or Teresas Problem.
That is between YOU and the useless BN-UMNO governemt which all of you shouold help throw away to hell
sebenarnya camne isu tulisan jawi ni terjadi? sy tak mengikuti sgt pasal isu ni tapi ramai org menyebar isu ni dalam email. rasa tak sedap hati juga kerana org menunding jari kepada pakatan rakyat. boleh sabahfan ceritakan sedikit supaya semua orang faham tentang hal ini?
Mr sukor,
Awak tak rajin baca semua khabar dalam internet, mungkin kau baca UTUSAN Malaysia sahaja yg tembirang itu.
Isu tulisan jawi, penduduk setempat hanya protest tukar tukar papan tanda kerana membazir wang rakyat yg dibuat oleh DBKL, bukan kerana tulisan Jawi….
simple as that, but they have to blame MTeresa, just to suit their ego and UMNOs charade…..
BOYCOT UTUSAN MALAYSIA….and all its business