LATEST !!!!

08 AUGUST 2008, PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA

I promise that under a Pakatan Rakyat government Malaysians will never again be subjected to such gross abuse of executive power as we are again witnessing today. Arbitrary arrest and detention, frivolous investigation and malicious prosecutions shall be a thing of the past.

Police officers and prosecutors who launch conspiracies to defame and humiliate the innocent will be severely punished. The use of police powers as well the office of the Attorney General to persecute political opponents will be criminalized so as to ensure a healthy and vibrant democracy where dissent is not only tolerated but nurtured.

In this regard every Malaysian's fundamental liberties will be treated as sacrosanct and safeguarded by a truly independent judiciary guided by principles of utmost integrity and an adherence to the spirit of the federal constitution.

The politically motivated trial launched against me will, Insha'Allah, be the last of its kind. No Malaysian will suffer from this cruel injustice ever again.

Yesterday's events confirm my innocence from the charges that recently surfaced. The medical report and statutory declaration by Dr. Osman Abdul Hamid of the Pusrawi Hospital that surfaced on Thursday shatter lingering doubts as to whether the alleged act ever took place. Dr. Osman's statement also confirms what we have already stated regarding deplorable actions by the police to fabricate evidence in a manner identical to the manipulation of my case in 1998. Anything short of a thorough investigation into the mishandling of this investigation would further tarnish the credibility of the police.

The doctor's personal safety is a matter of deep concern to us. Material witnesses in highprofile cases in Malaysia have gone missing in the past such as the PI Balasubramanian. I applaud those brave individuals who have demonstrated their commitment to freedom and justice by coming forward with important evidence, and call upon the authorities to ensure their protection.

Yesterday in court we learned that the prosecution's case has, in a manner similar to the botched trials of 1998, shape-shifted from a charge of assault to one of a consensual act. The conspiracy launched against me in the final week of June 2008 is falling apart. There is a hasty attempt by some to patch up glaring holes in the complainant's testimony. This will certainly fail given the preponderance of evidence confirming my innocence.

The Prime Minister has actively involved himself in this matter in an attempt to derail the process of transformational change in Malaysia and stave off his own political demise. But in soiling his hands with this sordid matter he has deepened the crisis within his own administration. His most ardent supporters among the Malays have also expressed their disgust with the matter. Furthermore Prime Minister Badawi now faces investigation by the Anti Corruption Agency for his involvement in corruption and money politics.

The shadow of corruption and mismanagement of the economy darkens the legacy of his Premiership. Prime Minister Badawi has still offered no convincing explanation over the huge profits reaped by his family in the Oil For Food scandal at the expense of dying Iraqis.

I advise those around him to leave the sinking ship of his leadership while there is still a chance to do so.

Pakatan Rakyat's reform agenda is firmly back on track and the New Dawn for Malaysia is well within reach. We will mount a unified campaign to win in Permatang Pauh with a solid majority encompassing that constituency's diverse population. I look forward to entering Parliament on August 27th with the support of my friends in the coalition.

ANWAR IBRAHIM

Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ)
27C Jalan Sarikei, off Jalan Pahang
53000 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03 4023 0772
Fax: 03 4023 0769

Press Release
8 August 2008

Arrest and harassment of bloggers under criminal laws must stop

The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) condemns the police arrest of
blogger Abdul Rashid Abu Bakar, owner of the blog penarik beca (trishaw
peddler), under the broadly worded Sedition Act, which gives the state a
free hand in punishing any form of expression. Seen from the frequency
with which the Sedition Act is being invoked against bloggers, this law is
clearly the preferred instrument to punish and harass bloggers who are
being critical against the state institutions and personalities.

Police arrested blogger Abdul Rashid Abu Bakar, known as Pak Bakaq in his
blog, late in the evening of August 7, at the blogger's home and
confiscated his computer in a raid. Abdul Rashid is now being remanded in
the Bukit Aman police headquarters in the capital city since his arrest.

When contacted by CIJ, the coordinator of the case, DSP Victor Sanjos of
the Commercial Crime Unit, said Abdul Rashid was detained for publishing
in his blog a digitally manipulated image of the police insignia, deemed
to be "insulting" to the police force. Included in Abdul Rashid's version
were modifications substituting the head of a tiger for that of a dog, the
jawi script of "Allah" and "Muhammad" for "C4" (the explosive used in the
murder of the Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu), and the word "Malaysia" for
"Israel". In addition to this charge, Abdul Rashid is also being detained
for alleging in his blog business connections between the force and triad
society.

The officer did not specify when and whether or not Abdul Rashid will be
formally charged.

On May 6, blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin of the Malaysia Today was charged
with Sedition Act over a posting on the murder of the Mongolian Altantuya
Shaariibuu. He was later additionally charged under criminal defamation
for his statutory declaration on the same subject on July 17.

The invoking of Sedition Act and criminal laws aimed at criminalizing
freedom of expression send a chilling effect to other bloggers and
writers. It takes away the room for the public to express critical opinion
in any form on the state institutions and key personnels. The broad
discretion afforded to the police under the law also makes it convenient
for the police, or any other state institution, to eliminate public
scrutiny by criminalizing this critical behaviour. This goes against
democratic practices in which public institutions are subject to the
public check and scrutiny.

CIJ calls on the police to immediately release Abdul Rashid and drop all
charges against him. We urge the government to repeal the Sedition Act
which has been used against critics under the pretext of protecting
national security. There are laws in place, such as those aimed at
deterring incitement and hate speech, that sufficiently serve the purpose
of maintaining national order and harmony.

The Centre for Independent Journalism, Malaysia (CIJ) aspires for a
society that is democratic, just and free, where all people enjoy free
media and the freedom to express, seek, and impart information.

Ends

Issued by
Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ)

Malaysiakini report, 8/8/2008 entitled 'Logo anjing: Penulis blog dibebas?' also indicated that he may...MAY be released today at 4pm (but still no news of any release at time of posting...)

Menurut Bernama, penulis blog itu ditahan di rumahnya pada pukul 10 malam di Taman Koperasi Polis, Gombak bagi membantu siasatan mengikut Seksyen 4(1) Akta Hasutan 1948.

Penulis blog Abu Bakar Mohd Rashid yang ditahan sejak kelmarin kerana menggantikan kepala harimau dengan "kepala anjing" di lambang rasmi Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) di lamannya dijangka akan dibebaskan jam 4 petang ini.

Isterinya memberitahu Malaysiakini sebentar tadi, jika wartawan sambilan itu memberikan kerjasama dalam siasatan polis, beliau akan dibebaskan daripada tahanan di ibu pejabat polis bahagian jenayah perdagangan, Kuala Lumpur.

Abu Bakar (foto kanan), yang juga dikenali Bakar Haq, popular dengan kelantangannya mengupas isu-isu politik di blog nya 'Penarik Beca' (www.penarikbeca.blogspot.com).