Dr M: Financial Turmoil Ahead

Did you read former PM Dr Mahathir's post on Financial Turmoil? He gives some interesting insights into what's in store. If you are holding plenty of US dollars, he suggests you get rid of them.

More Outcries Against Use of ISA

Since the recent ISA arrests last Friday, the incident continues to hog the limelight in the local media. More parties have come out to voice their views against the use of ISA on those detained. Even BN ministers have made their stand.

(The Star) Muslim NGO: Use of ISA is ‘un-Islamic’

(The Star) BN members lash out at the arrests

(The Star) Don’t use ISA, says Zaid and (NST) Zaid hits out at use of ISA

(The Star) Hishammuddin: ISA use not justified against reporter

(The Star) Suhakam: Reporter’s arrest an abuse of ISA

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism has appealed to the PM to release the ISA detainees.

And Law Minister Zaid Ibrahim was reported to have tendered his resignation to the PM . Read here and here.

Was Sin Chew Journalist Reporting A Fact?

Reading from the press reports on the turn of event surrounding the report filed by Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng, one will probably conclude that she was doing her job - reporting what Bukit Bendera UMNO chief Ahmad Ismail had said at a talk in the run-up to the Permatang Pauh by-election. That is the only logical conclusion since the police had released her from detention under the ISA albeit that it was done for her safety. Not forgetting that Deputy PM Najib Abdul Razak had aplogized on behalf Ahmad Ismail for his "Chinese are squatters" remarks, and that Ahmad was subsequently suspended by the UMNO Supreme Council over the incident.

See FREED: Tan detained because life was 'under threat' (NST) and also MCA’s Fong: Home Minister’s explanation ‘unacceptable’.

In another development, de facto Law Minister Zaid Ibrahim gives his views on the proper use of the ISA 'Wrong use of ISA: De facto law minister', saying it "should only be used against terrorists or those trying to topple the government by force". But Minister in the PM Dept Ahmad Zahid begs to differ, saying the detentions were justified. See also Invoking ISA is not the solution, says Koh (NST).

Meanwhile, DAP Adviser Lim Kit Siang told reporters that Seputeh MP Teresa Kok had been warned of her Internal Security Act detention, but she refused to go into hiding. See Teresa was warned of impending detention (NST).

12 Sept 2008 Another Dark Day

Look at the following headlines in today's newspapers...I am saddened with the developments:

(NST) Police detain Teresa Kok, Sin Chew reporter under ISA

(The Star) Raja Petra, Teresa Kok and Sin Chew reporter arrested under ISA

(NST) Teresa Kok held over 'azan' issue

(The Star) Why Raja Petra, Tan and Kok were detained

(The Star) Raja Petra anticipated his arrest, says wife

(The Star) Show-cause letters for dailies

 

As the following news quoting the MCA, it is rather perplexing: MCA shocked by arrest of reporter and not perpetrator. Why indeed?

And the NUJ says 'Detention of journalist an act to intimidate media'.

The event naturally was reported in BBC Asia 'Blogger's detention sparks fears'.

 

Meanwhile, we read the following news breaks:

(NST) Sin Chew journalist released and (The Star) Sin Chew reporter released

(The Star) NUJ saddened, disappointed by arrest and calls for an EGM on 20 Sept to discuss the 'serious national crisis'. And MCA says it's against the use of ISA on journos.

PAS says more will be detained in 'Arrests are an attempt to cover up real issue'.

Home Minister says: 'Order to arrest did not come from me' but declares 'No more arrests'. Seems rather odd that the police had detained the Sin Chew journalist under the ISA to ensure her safety.

I must agree with the DAP's call to 'Let the courts decide' and Transparency International: Try RPK and Teresa Kok under court of law, not ISA.