Thursday, February 09, 2006
Don't speak - No Doubt
Dear Encik Noor Nirwandy Mat Noordin,
I refer to the newspaper article in the Malay Mail where you were quoted as the project coordinator of the Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia (PPIM) (the article can be read here).
I would like to make some comments on the quotes which were attributed to you.
First, you alleged said that "...the Kajang police was correct when they shaved the heads of detainees as they were only implementing the rules under Section 9A of the Lock-Up Rules 1953". May I suggest that you first read the said Section 9A of the said rules before making statements which only betray the fact that either you did not read it or you do not have the ability to understand the language in which it was written in (for assistance, you may refer to one of my earlier posts here).
Secondly, you questioned the involvement of political parties and alleged that they should not take advantage of the issue. May I ask why shouldn't they? Don't they have the right to do so?
In any event, the politicians and/or Members of Parliament not only have the right but the duty to assist members of the public in situations like this.
Thirdly (I saved the "best" for last), you allegedly said that the setting up of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) "...would be a stumbling block to the police as every action taken will be questioned".
But Encik Noor, that is the very reason why the IPCMC should be set up! The police force should know (and tremble) that even though they are the enforcers of the law, they are never above the law. It is after stated in our "Rukun Negara" that Malaysia shall abide by the Rule of Law.
Let's face the facts and be honest. There has been too many incidents of misconduct by the police in our country, be it the asking for bribes, bullying or just being plain abusive. In our country, how many of us actually feel safe in the presence of the police? We must not turn a blind eye to these incidents nor take the stance that if we pretend it's not there, perhaps it will go away.
Instead, the public should know that they can question every act of the police - in fact, not just the acts of the police but of the Courts, the politicians and the government. Granted that the way they do so must be done in a respectful and orderly manner, not using it as an abuse of process or just being mischievious.
This is what being a democracy is all about - the power is in the hands of the public.
Further, I fail to see how the setting up of the IPCMC will be a stumbling block to the police. After all, if the police has nothing to hide and carries out its duties lawfully and respectfully, they should have no issues with the setting up of the IPCMC.
In fact, as far as I know (i am ready to stand corrected on this), the police force has not raise any objections on the setting up of the IPCMC so why do you and the PPIM do so? With respect, it is none of your business.
In my humble opinion, it is precisely the attitude of people like you (and the organisations like PPIM if indeed you speak on their behalf) who are placing stumbling blocks on the progress of our nation. In order to move forward, we must erradicate all forms of abuse of power and lawlessness. We must not stop the public from voicing out when there are victims of such acts. We cannot tell them "Don't speak a word". They must not be silenced. It is only then that we can start moving in the right direction of democracy, progress and a respectable environment.
If any member of the police force who commits abuse of powers and/or illegal acts is allowed escape unpunished, such acts will continue to take place. The perpetrators will be given a sense of impunity - and those who succeed them will only follow in their (wrong) footsteps.
Someone once said that only dead fish go with the flow. We must be brave enough to go against it if the flow will lead us on a one way trip to self-destruction.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
CG-in-C
I refer to the newspaper article in the Malay Mail where you were quoted as the project coordinator of the Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia (PPIM) (the article can be read here).
I would like to make some comments on the quotes which were attributed to you.
First, you alleged said that "...the Kajang police was correct when they shaved the heads of detainees as they were only implementing the rules under Section 9A of the Lock-Up Rules 1953". May I suggest that you first read the said Section 9A of the said rules before making statements which only betray the fact that either you did not read it or you do not have the ability to understand the language in which it was written in (for assistance, you may refer to one of my earlier posts here).
Secondly, you questioned the involvement of political parties and alleged that they should not take advantage of the issue. May I ask why shouldn't they? Don't they have the right to do so?
In any event, the politicians and/or Members of Parliament not only have the right but the duty to assist members of the public in situations like this.
Thirdly (I saved the "best" for last), you allegedly said that the setting up of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) "...would be a stumbling block to the police as every action taken will be questioned".
But Encik Noor, that is the very reason why the IPCMC should be set up! The police force should know (and tremble) that even though they are the enforcers of the law, they are never above the law. It is after stated in our "Rukun Negara" that Malaysia shall abide by the Rule of Law.
Let's face the facts and be honest. There has been too many incidents of misconduct by the police in our country, be it the asking for bribes, bullying or just being plain abusive. In our country, how many of us actually feel safe in the presence of the police? We must not turn a blind eye to these incidents nor take the stance that if we pretend it's not there, perhaps it will go away.
Instead, the public should know that they can question every act of the police - in fact, not just the acts of the police but of the Courts, the politicians and the government. Granted that the way they do so must be done in a respectful and orderly manner, not using it as an abuse of process or just being mischievious.
This is what being a democracy is all about - the power is in the hands of the public.
Further, I fail to see how the setting up of the IPCMC will be a stumbling block to the police. After all, if the police has nothing to hide and carries out its duties lawfully and respectfully, they should have no issues with the setting up of the IPCMC.
In fact, as far as I know (i am ready to stand corrected on this), the police force has not raise any objections on the setting up of the IPCMC so why do you and the PPIM do so? With respect, it is none of your business.
In my humble opinion, it is precisely the attitude of people like you (and the organisations like PPIM if indeed you speak on their behalf) who are placing stumbling blocks on the progress of our nation. In order to move forward, we must erradicate all forms of abuse of power and lawlessness. We must not stop the public from voicing out when there are victims of such acts. We cannot tell them "Don't speak a word". They must not be silenced. It is only then that we can start moving in the right direction of democracy, progress and a respectable environment.
If any member of the police force who commits abuse of powers and/or illegal acts is allowed escape unpunished, such acts will continue to take place. The perpetrators will be given a sense of impunity - and those who succeed them will only follow in their (wrong) footsteps.
Someone once said that only dead fish go with the flow. We must be brave enough to go against it if the flow will lead us on a one way trip to self-destruction.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
CG-in-C
# posted by imissw : 1:54:00 am
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this IS the web!!!! ;-P
nah, politics is not for me. no calling in that direction - altho we are seriously lacking in good christian politicians in m'sia.
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nah, politics is not for me. no calling in that direction - altho we are seriously lacking in good christian politicians in m'sia.
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