CSM: OPEN LETTER TO RAJA PETRA KAMARUDIN

"Dear Pete,

Yesterday morning (May 7), civil society groups and your fellow bloggers met the press and issued a statement which noted that “the sedition charge is malicious and without merit. It is also politically motivated and aimed at silencing a principled and uncompromising voice speaking against the abuse of power, including that stemming from the highest level of government and authority.”

Further, we urged "the Government to re-consider its action in pursuing what is being perceived in the country and internationally as blatantly selective and repressive persecution. The action not only runs counter to the Government’s expressed promotion of a democratic, informed and participatory society. It also smacks of a renewal of the tactics of fear and intimidation which were recently resoundingly rejected by the Malaysian electorate. We are disappointed that, despite the Government’s rhetoric of learning from its past mistakes, it continues to rely on heavy handed authoritarian means to instill fear and to discourage its citizens from freely engaging in public discourse."

Yesterday night, a group of some 300 concerned Malaysians from all walks of life, mainly young people, gathered at the main entrance area of Sungei Buloh Prison in a vigil in support of your release.

Tonight, another vigil will be held at the Dataran Merdeka.

We feel an important point has been made by you that Malaysians need to stand up for their legitimate rights and freedoms - whatever the personal cost - if society is to change for the better.

We feel though that the time has come for you to come out and to continue your struggle outside the prison walls. We hope you can consider our appeal – and that of fellow bloggers, friends and supporters – for you to emerge from your incarceration without further delay. ”

Press Statement issued jointly by:

Dr Lim Teck Ghee
Director,
Centre for Policy Initiatives (CPI)

Ahirudin Attan
President, Interim Council
National Alliance of Bloggers

Wong Chin Huat
Chairperson,
Writer Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI)

Gayathry V.
Executive Director
Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ)

Ser Choon Ing
Chairman of Civil Rights Committee
KL and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall

Ho Yock Lin
Director
Empower (Pusat Janadaya)

Irene Xavier
President
Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor

Dzul Bahrin
Citizen Think Tank



May 8, 2008