RCI on Sabah Invasion Should Not Be A Plot To Derail
Democracy
By webmaster, on March 25th, 2013
March 25, 2013
CIVIL SOCIETY JOINT STATEMENT
We, members of the
civil society, are deeply concern over a statement on forming a Royal
Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to investigate the Sulu incursion in Lahad Datu,
Sabah on 23rd March 2013 made by the Home Minister Datuk Seri
Hishammuddin Hussein. It stated that the details would be revealed by Prime
Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on Monday 25 March.
While the setting up
of an RCI on the Sulu incursion is welcome in principle, however we are alarmed
by the haste at which the Government is doing this in the run up of the next
general elections. We are further dismayed by the suspicious manner which it is
being planned while the public is kept in the dark of its Terms of Reference
(TOR) and criteria in selecting the commissioners.
We hold that the
appointment of RCI is a major decision and as the Parliament will be dissolved anytime
now, the current government should restrain from making this decision in the
spirit of caretaker government. Unfortunately in Malaysia’s history, as shown
by the RCI on the custodial death of Teoh Beng Hock, the RCI can be a tool of
injustice rather than an avenue for delivering justice.
The unusual haste of
setting up the RCI has raised suspicion that it may be politically motivated.
The Najib Administration has not been forthcoming to be transparent and
accountable on the Sulu incursion that it has arrogantly ignored the call by
the opposition and civil society to convene an emergency sitting of a
parliament session to discuss this issue. Even as of now, to date neither the
police and the national security of Malaysia nor that of the Philippines have
completed their investigation. Why then the haste?
Current development
suggests that the Sulu incursion is increasingly being used by the BN to
demonise opposition and dissidents. Citing unsubstantiated reports in the
Filipino media, BN leaders had accused Anwar Ibrahim of being the culprit of
the incursion. This is reminiscent of the systematic state persecutions
previously inflicted on Anwar Ibrahim since 1998. Baseless accusations have
included abuse of power, sodomy I, sodomy II and sex video.
Given the much
anticipated 13th General Election to be held soon, any partial and manipulated
information from the RCI may mislead voters and therefore undermine the
practice of fair and equal access to accurate information. Violating the
principles of democracy, this may undermine the legitimacy and stability of the
next government.
We therefore suggest
that:
(1) An Inter-State
Commission of Inquiry be set up between the governments of Philippines and
Malaysia, after the conclusion of the parliamentary elections in Malaysia and
congressional elections in the Philippines, to investigate the root causes
leading to the Sabah invasion, its funding and its military operation. The
people have the right to know the complete truth from both the Philippines and
Malaysian governments.
(2) The members of
the Inter-State Commission of Inquiry must comprise of reputable members of the
civil society from both the Philippines and Malaysia. The selection of its
members, its functioning and the establishment of its terms of reference must
be transparent and democratic.
Endorsing
organizations :
1.
Malaysians for Beng Hock
2. Writers’ Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI)
3. Pahang Green Corridor
4. Seniman Paksi Rakyat (PAKSI)
5. Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM)
6. Tenaganita
7. Youth for Change – Northen Region
8. Projek Dialog
9. Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF)
10. Hartal MSM
11. Northen Green Youth
12. Social and economy Committee of KLSCAH
13. Centre for Policy Intiative (CPI)
14. Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO)
15. Centre for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC)
16. Sibu Bersih
17. Kluang Bersih
18. Mama Bersih
19. Kill The Bill
20. Alumni PBTUSM KL & Selangor
21. Radio Bangsar utama (Mandarin)
22. TakNak1Care
23. Semparuthi Iyakkam
24. Group of Concerned Citizens
25. Sunflower Electoral Education
26. Radio Bangsar utama
27. Civil Rights Committee of KLSCAH
28. Save Vui Kong Campaign
29. Youth Section of KLSCAH
30. Malaysia Youth & Students Democratic Movement (DEMA)
31. Youth Section of Malacca Chinese Assembly Hall
32. Johor Yellow Flame (JYF)
33. LLG Cultural Development Centre
34. Gabungan NGO Pengerang
35. Streets Project Kuala Lumpur
36. Rainbow Genders Society
37. Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor
38. National Indian Advancement Team (NIAT)
39. Jihad for Justice
40. Save Sarawak Rivers Network
41. Damn the Dams Action Group
42. Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (EMPOWER)
43. Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ)
44. Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)
45. All Women’s Action Society (AWAM)
46. Pusat Komunikasi Masyarakat (KOMAS)
47. Persatuan Masyarakat Selangor dan Wilayah Persekutuan (PERMAS)
48. Community Action Network (CAN)
49. People’s Green Coalition
50. Sarawak for Change
2. Writers’ Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI)
3. Pahang Green Corridor
4. Seniman Paksi Rakyat (PAKSI)
5. Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM)
6. Tenaganita
7. Youth for Change – Northen Region
8. Projek Dialog
9. Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF)
10. Hartal MSM
11. Northen Green Youth
12. Social and economy Committee of KLSCAH
13. Centre for Policy Intiative (CPI)
14. Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO)
15. Centre for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC)
16. Sibu Bersih
17. Kluang Bersih
18. Mama Bersih
19. Kill The Bill
20. Alumni PBTUSM KL & Selangor
21. Radio Bangsar utama (Mandarin)
22. TakNak1Care
23. Semparuthi Iyakkam
24. Group of Concerned Citizens
25. Sunflower Electoral Education
26. Radio Bangsar utama
27. Civil Rights Committee of KLSCAH
28. Save Vui Kong Campaign
29. Youth Section of KLSCAH
30. Malaysia Youth & Students Democratic Movement (DEMA)
31. Youth Section of Malacca Chinese Assembly Hall
32. Johor Yellow Flame (JYF)
33. LLG Cultural Development Centre
34. Gabungan NGO Pengerang
35. Streets Project Kuala Lumpur
36. Rainbow Genders Society
37. Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor
38. National Indian Advancement Team (NIAT)
39. Jihad for Justice
40. Save Sarawak Rivers Network
41. Damn the Dams Action Group
42. Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (EMPOWER)
43. Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ)
44. Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)
45. All Women’s Action Society (AWAM)
46. Pusat Komunikasi Masyarakat (KOMAS)
47. Persatuan Masyarakat Selangor dan Wilayah Persekutuan (PERMAS)
48. Community Action Network (CAN)
49. People’s Green Coalition
50. Sarawak for Change
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