MARIA DETAINED UNDER SOSMA, WHY NOT? by Jee Abdullah
The police have also reminded numerously, should Maria Chin and Bersih 5.0 are adamant to go ahead on their targeted date 19 November to hold their gathering in Dataran Merdeka without the PAA’s requirement, then they should realised that they did not meet legal provisions and hence violated the stipulated Act. Tell us which part that these so called law experts and law abiding people in Bersih 2.0 steering committee are unable to understand?
Therefore, Bersih 5.0 rally is illegal. So when Maria Chin is detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 or SOSMA, why the need to dispute it?
As stated clearly that Bersih 5 is an illegal rally, the green light from Maria Chin and her steering committee to proceed is thus encouraging to go against in maintaining public order and the people safety. The police is correct to carry out instructions to stop illegal Bersih 5 rally when it is obvious detrimental to the security of our nation.
Should any opposition leaders questioned PM Najib’s assurance that SOSMA will not be affecting on politicians, they ought to proof that Maria Chin have held any position in any political party, then SOSMA should not be imposed on he her. If Maria Chin is merely a political instrument, as chairman of an NGO that has violated the laws that have threatened the public order, then SOSMA is very appropriate and she is a threat to our nations’ security.
If the oppositions needed to be reminded that Maria is chairing an illegal rally “which is prejudical to public order in, or the security of, the Federation or any part thereof ;”. Her detention is thus necessary to stop action as stipulated in SOSMA when she has initiated “to procure the alteration, otherwise than by lawful means, of anything by law established”.
As a seasoned political watchdog, Ambiga should have extensive legal knowledge affecting illegal assembly that the police in no way are liable to facilitate them and what more to ensure participants safety. But her statement to demand for the police presence is as though very obligated, not only that she is misleading public opinion but in fact she is inviting the police too to be unlawful.
What Ambiga should have done as a former chairman for Bersih 2.0 steering committee is to advise Maria Chin and her people to fully comply with the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) procedures and abide by rules and regulations as stipulated under the PAA. Instead she has chosen to incite to condemn the police that they are denying the illegal Bersih 5 rally rights to a peaceful assembly. Is Ambiga a truthful and an apt watchdog?
The keywords to Maria’s SOSMA detention are ‘agreeing and allowing’ to be manipulated by certain opposition leaders as a coup instrument. Unless Maria and her Bersih activities detached themselves from these group of usupers, their demands may stay applicable.
She needs no one to blame except the unscrupulous politicians and in particular Dr Mahathir and Kit Siang for ill-advising her. The vigil in solidarity with her is not enough to correct the situation as Maria has to be on her own to face charges for all the wrong reasons to satisfy those villainous opposition leaders. But… you asked for it Maria!
Azeeza Abdullah
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