 Apa khabar? Here’s your Monday motivation: – TSMY winning the Oscar – Najib Razak doing PhD without access to the internet – The other TSMY being charged for money laundering (a different kind of motivation). Note: We are taking a break next week so try not to miss us too much. Niresh Kaur, Shambavi Shankar |
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What’s the tea in Malaysia? Source: Pinterest / rottentomatoes Hadi Awang, the fortune teller we never needed Hadi Awang has predicted Anwar’s downfall in the form of another (perhaps) <insert hotel name> Move. The PAS President has openly remarked that the Perikatan Nasional coalition will make attempts to topple the current unity government. While this is possible via the loophole in the Anti-Hopping Law, politicians must be wary not to make statement like this so as to not drive investors away. He will be investigated by Bukit Aman following police reports made by PKR and Amanah. |
The need for IPCMC keeps getting stronger by the day In recent news, there was a body mix-up reported in Sg Buloh prison. A family was called to claim a body from the prison only to receive a call shortly before the cremation informing them that the body is not their son’s. What happened? The two boys were kept in the same cell at the prison and were charged at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on the same day. Only one survived, except, these boys did not go to war. While we agree that prisons may not be the most comfortable spot, it’s fair to assume or hope that it is at least safe. Unfortunately, this has not been the case in Malaysia for a long time.  Source: Tenor This is exactly why we tirelessly scream demanding the IPCMC Bill to be passed. The Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) is a proposed commission in Malaysia that would be responsible for investigating complaints of police misconduct and ensuring that the police force acts in accordance with the law and human rights principles. Despite years of debate and discussion, the IPCMC has not yet been established in Malaysia. Related Read: Death in Custody: Where do we go from here? |
Moral policing extends to books and toys here Toys: The Home Ministry recently busted a secret stash of over 1,000 contraband sex toys in Kota Warisan, Sepang for posing a threat to the very fabric of society by undermining our moral values under Section 7(1) of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 (PPPA).  Source: Tenor As per Section 7(1) of the Act, possession and distribution of such items is a punishable offence. In relation to this, a 57-year-old local man was charged at Sepang Magistrate’s Court for distributing and selling obscene items, in violation of Section 292(a) of the Penal Code. Books: This is not the only time the ministry took matters into their hands with regard to ”morals” with the backing of PPPA. 1. The Home Ministry banned three books published by the Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF) stating that they may cause disruption to public order. However, in a unanimous decision, the Malaysian Court of Appeal overturned the government’s ban and this decision has been seen as a blow to the powers of the Ministry of Home Affairs and a victory for freedom of expression. (Source: 13 Feb 2020, FMT) 2. Recently, the Home Ministry banned three more for elements of LGBT (“content that may harm morals”) (Source: 14 Feb 2023, The Star)  Source: tenor Say no to PPPA There have been numerous calls to repeal or reform the PPPA as this law does not seem to be on the same page (pun intended) when it comes to international human rights law and standards. The Minister of Home Affairs seems to have the driver’s seat in implementing this law as they see fit, which is a recipe for discrimination. The age-old conundrum: how much monitoring is too much monitoring? We don’t want to let our guard down and let every Tom, Dick, and Harry with a preference for paedophilia run amok, but we also need to be mindful of not crossing the line into the draconian territory. |
Other highlights of the week: 1. New drug law to be tabled to tackle overcrowded prisons – the new proposed law, Drug and Substance Abuse (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act, will put drug abusers in rehab instead of prison. A step in the right direction indeed. Well done, Malaysia. 2. Putrajaya to declassify papers on Sabah’s 1976 Double Six plane crash that killed Sabah’s Chief Minister, Tun Fuad Stephens, among others. 3. YB Syahredzan proposed to have proper access to justice to ensure that even the poor will not be sidelined. More on this soon. 4. Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was charged with money laundering today. More on this, next. |
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