CSM for Tony Pua because he dareth ask...

This is another Community Service Message: I do this for Causes I also beleivein promoting, and to collect Brownie points-lah:)

From the desk of up-and-coming DAP politician Tony Pua, also a Blogger:

"Hi guys,

Yes, the DAP is holding another forum. But this time, it is certainly an issue of utmost importance for the future of our country. First, Najib has unilaterally declared Malaysia an Islamic State and second, all debate on the issue in the Media by all parties, including BN component parties has been officially banned. These actions are a direct affront to 2 critical principles enshrined in our constitutions - its secular nature, and freedom of expression.

In essence, we have be denied our rights to discuss the future direction of this country of ours. Hence, once again, i hope that you will be able to put up the details of the forum below on your blogs, and to forward this mail to our friends, family and colleagues. We hope for a strong turnout to demonstrate our resolve in protecting our Merdeka Constitution.

Alternatively, you can visit my blog post on the forum - http://tonypua.blogspot.com/2007/07/no-debate-on-islamic-state.html

=====


No Debate on Islamic State?

As reported by Bernama, the Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak proclaimed on 16th July that "we have never, never been secular... we are an Islamic state."
Subsequently, as reported in Malaysiakini, the Internal Security Ministry has confirmed that they have given a directive to all mainstream media not to publish any news on the issue of Malaysia being an Islamic state.

Publications Control & Al-Quran Texts Unit senior officer Che Din Yusof said, "Yes, we have given the directive to all mainstream newspapers. Islam is a sensitive issue. They cannot publish any news on whether the country is secular or Islam."
However, he said newpapers can still publish statements from Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Najib Abdul Razak on the country being an Islamic state.

Reaction from political parties and the public cannot be published especially the negative reactions,he said.
In light of the seriousness of the above two major development on a 'democratic', multi-racial and multi-cultural Malaysia, and the reluctance of other BN component parties to pick up the gauntlet, the DAP is organising a public forum to discuss the above issues:

Panel of Distinguished Speakers

Lim Kit Siang, Parliamentary Opposition Leader
Ambiga Sreenevasan, Malaysia Bar Council President
Malik Imtiaz, Human Rights Lawyer
Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, PKR Treasurer
Rev Dr Hermen Shastri, General Secretary, Council of Churches*
Lim Guan Eng, Secretary-General to DAP
* To be confirmed

Venue: KL & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall
Date: 25th July 2007 (Wednesday)
Time: 7.30 pm

If you feel strongly about the above issues, please bring friends and turn up in full force! Please forward this post to all concerned parties."

SeeYouDare
I will be hovering around in spirirt. -- Desi:)