How times have changed, and dreams dashed!
Prominent lawyer and former Bersih activist Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan has expressed her utter shock and frustration with the current government for detaining several leaders from the youth-led NGO Mandiri, who were recently remanded for three days and two nights.
Speaking at a solidarity rally, Ambiga criticised government leaders, accusing them of abusing their power. She reminded them that they once stood alongside activists on the streets fighting for justice.
"Remand is not a punishment, so it is not supposed to be a one. Shame on you, Pakatan Harapan!" she said firmly to the crowd.
She went on to emphasize that using Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) provisions to detain the two young leaders, Amir Hadi and Dobby Chew, was an unacceptable act of oppression and intimidation.
Ambiga also recalled memories of being arrested together during past struggles, pointing out that current government leaders had gone through the exact same experience.
"You walked with us, you were arrested with us. I still remember being arrested alongside Pakatan Harapan leaders. You went through the same process, the same abuse of remand. And now, how could you do this to us?" she asked.
Once you walked with us, but now you've decided to walk out on us?
Not mincing words, she branded the act of remanding activists—who have consistently fought for the people's rights—a betrayal of the public's trust.
Ambiga further warned that silencing critical voices and reform activists would backfire and cost them public support.
"Don't tell us you're giving us any good reasons to vote for you when you do things like this. You will not win any votes from us this way," she stated.
No more voting for Pakatan Harapan!
Ambiga concluded by demanding that authorities immediately stop using the law to pressure dissenting voices and called for justice to be upheld transparently without political abuse of power.
Meanwhile, Rafizi's Bersama also echoed Ambiga’s frustration and accused the Madani Government of targeting civil society activists.
According to the party, Mandiri has campaigned against corruption, for freedom of assembly, and for greater student and academic freedom, adding that its work on human rights and good governance has received support from political parties across the political divide.
(Screenshot of news headline and image from Malaysiakini)
Is voicing out what is wrong in the country now deemed a major offence?
For context, attacks against Mandiri began last May after online claims surfaced, alleging that the organisation had received foreign funding to conduct political and disinformation activities with the alleged objective of destabilising the administration and ultimately bringing down Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Then last week, the personal and organisational bank accounts of its directors Amir and Dobby were frozen, while travel restrictions were also imposed on them.
This prompted veteran activist Ivy Josiah to pose three critical questions:
If an NGO receives foreign funding, does that make it a foreign agent?
If it advocates democracy, does that mean it wants to overthrow the government?
If it criticises those in power, does it mean it is automatically working against the country?
The thing is, the alleged high-handed action against the NGO—which supports the call for a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into the “Corporate Mafia” controversy—has deeply angered many who expected real reform from the PH-led Unity Government, especially in fighting high-level graft without fear or favour.
For sure, Ambiga's outburst mirrors the feelings of many concerned citizens in this country—especially those who joined the historic Bersih rallies in the past to fight for justice and good governance.
Wasn't she also spot on to ask that damning question: “What's wrong with you, Pakatan Harapan?”
Small fish in lockups, big fish outside—enjoying life to the fullest!"
As it is, those who agree with Ambiga are bound to question: why do young activists fighting corruption end up ‘behind bars’ before they are even charged—while those facing serious charges walk free?
Main information source: The Rakyat Insight, The Vibes and Malaysiakini.
JK Joseph (jtkingsworld@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
The User Content (as defined on Newswav Terms of Use) above including the views expressed and media (pictures, videos, citations etc) were submitted & posted by the author. Newswav is solely an aggregation platform that hosts the User Content. If you have any questions about the content, copyright or other issues of the work, please contact creator@newswav.com.
