CSM from the Desk of DSAI...

I am always happy to be a messsenger for CSM (Community Service Messages) delivered bi-lingually. It puts across an important issue of the day as well as promotes Bahasa Malaysia -- killing three birds with one stone.
Oh, the third birdie? A s-MILE from this knotty hoRst, raring to a-Go-GO!:)


"Subject: DSAI's Statement on Raja Petra Kamarudin

KENYATAAN MEDIA



25 Julai 2007



Saya mengecam tekanan terbaru dari pihak kerajaan dan polis terhadap pengendali laman Malaysia Today, Raja Petra Kamaruddin.



Tindakan ke atas Raja Petra ini bermula dengan laporan polis dan disusuli oleh ucapan-ucapan mengkritik pengendali blog oleh beberapa pimpinan UMNO termasuk Dato' Seri Najib Tun Razak. Ini merupakan siri terbaru tekanan terhadap pengendali laman web dan blog selepas penahanan setiausaha saya Nathaniel Tan baru-baru ini.



Saya menyeru agar pihak polis menggunakan masa mereka untuk menyiasat dakwaan rasuah melibatkan pelbagai pimpinan kerajaan yang disiarkan di Malaysia Today dan membanteras jenayah yang sudah menjadi-jadi. Sudah begitu banyak laporan yang dibuat terhadap pimpinan kerajaan dahulu dan sekarang yang tidak disiasat langsung, tetapi laporan terhadap pengendali laman web mendapat tindakan segera polis.



Rakyat Malaysia memerlukan pemimpin yang bersifat terbuka dan memandang ke hadapan, bukannya yang masih terikut-ikut dengan budaya politik lama dan tidak dapat menerima realiti teknologi hari ini. Ketika pemimpin UMNO hebat menuntut pengendali blog untuk bertanggungjawab di atas penulisan mereka, saya menyeru pemimpin UMNO dan polis agar jangan lupa amanah mereka kepada rakyat.



ANWAR IBRAHIM



MEDIA STATEMENT



25 July 2007



I condemn the intimidation by the government and police towards Malaysia Today's webmaster, Raja Petra Kamaruddin.



The action against Raja Petra began as a police report and followed by speeches criticising bloggers by a few UMNO leaders including Dato' Seri Najib Tun Razak. This is the latest intimidation on webmasters and bloggers following the arrest of my secretary Nathaniel Tan recently.



I demand the police to use their time to investigate the numerous allegations of corruption involving government leaders published by Malaysia Today and to fight the rising rate of crime that is plaguing the country. Various reports have been made on present and former government leaders that have not been followed up, yet a report against a webmaster is immediately investigated by the police.



Malaysians need open-minded and forward-thinking leaders, not those still trapped by an outdated political culture and unable to grasp the technological realities of today. At a time when UMNO leaders are demanding bloggers to be responsible for their writing, I urge the UMNO leaders and police not to forget their responsibilities towards the Malaysian rakyat.



ANWAR IBRAHIM