Agora Society Condemns Police’s Actions Towards Hong Kong Protest’s Malaysian Supporters

Press Statement by Agora Society on 7 July 2019 in Kuala Lumpur

Agora Society is gravely disappointed and condemns police actions taken against The Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall - Youth Section (KLSCAH Youth) Chief, Siah Kwong Liang and the outgoing Universiti Malaya Association of New Youth (UMANY) President, Wong Yan Ke and others, for organizing or supporting events related to the recent Hong Kong’s anti-extradition to China movement in Malaysia. Agora Society is shocked such political intimidation is still happening in the purportedly ‘New Malaysia’, and we condemn the police for taking unnecessary actions in an attempt to stifle or deter peaceful political rallies.

The “No Retreat! In Solidarity with Hong Kong” participatory performance art rally and “Your One Country, My Two System” public forum took place on 16th of June and 19th of June respectively were both held in a peaceful manner. The former is an assembly that has strictly adhered the principle of peaceful assembly and was held under the watchful eyesof the police force, while the latter is a public forum co-organized by the KLSCAH Youth and Agora Society which was primarily held for the public to exchange their ideas and views regarding the recent Hong Kong’s protest.

Yet, Wong Yan Ke as a fellow participant of the 16th of June rally and Siah Kwong Liang as a representative of KLSCAH Youth were summoned to the police and subsequently questioned and intimidated by the Malaysian Special Branch with threats such as: ‘we have the power to disband your society’, ‘we can stop you from graduating and get a job’ and ‘I could transfer RM2 million into UMANY‘s account and get it disbanded for receiving illicit money’ and many more. These threats are intended to create a chilling effect and to show that Malaysia is appeasing to China. Furthermore, such wild threats used by the police also exposed the fact that Malaysia’s political freedom and liberties have been eroded.

Right before the change of government, Malaysia’s very own BERSIH and REFORMASI movements have been largely cheered and supported by pro-democracy civil societies all around the world, including Hong Kong and its support was very much welcomed by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) politicians when they were still in opposition. However there is now an air of silence within the PH coalition when most of the ordinary Hong Kong citizens were voicing the same demands against the Hong Kong authorities. Moreover, some of the Malaysian supporters of the Hong Kong’s protest were even accused of meddling in China’s affairs. Therefore, it is questionable that the PH coalition are really committed to the ideals of democracy and human rights, or rather China’s interest trumps everything else in the eyes of the new government?

Political intimidation is by no means a new feature in Malaysia as the past Malaysia’s government under UMNO’s Mahathir, Najib and Abdullah Badawi were fond of using oppressive means to intimidate political dissidents to solidify their rule. This is why it is regrettable to witness the same old political intimidation under the ostensibly more progressive PH government, and even cabinet ministers are by no means innocent. In just a period in one week, Malaysians have witnessed how the Minister of Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change, Yeo Bee Yin has threatened to resort to legal means to go after the alleged online slanderers with regards to the Pasir Gudang’s chemical gas accident. The Minister of Primary Industries, Teresa Kok, has also publicly chided International School students for having a performance to protest against oil palm plantations, and it has led to the Ministry of Education to release a statement stating that it will take appropriate action against the aforementioned school. These series of events inspire no confidence among the Malaysians that the new government is different from Barisan Nasional (BN), and Agora Society doubts that the PH government is sincere in political reform.

Lastly, Agora Society implore the police force to stop using political intimidation against any Malaysians whose political stand is different from the government and urge the Home Ministry and Special Branch to focus its time and resources to combat crime and corruption instead of curtailing the political liberties of Malaysians.

Agora Society Malaysia

7.7.2019

* Agora Society Malaysia is a loose network of individuals who believe in the principles of democracy and good governance. More information please visit http://agoramalaysia.blogspot.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/agora.msia

Joint Statement: Condemning HK police's brute force, withdraw the controversial bill

Statement on 15 June 2019

With regards to the protest by the Hong Kong‘s pro-democracy movement against the extradition bill which effectively authorizes the Hong Kong government to facilitate the extradition of any criminal suspects to China for trial, We, the undersigned organizations or individuals are of the view that:

1.)        The extradition bill would allow the Hong Kong government to detain and extradite anyone from countries which Hong Kong has no formal extradition treaty with – this includes Mainland China, Macau and Taiwan. We are worried that if the extradition bill were passed, it would be utilized instead to extradite any dissidents - whom are critical against the government, the Communist Party of China - for trial in China. Hong Kong people‘s fear and concern are entirely legitimate and justifiable given the previous examples of mysterious and illegal extradition of the shareholder of Causeway Bay Books Michael Gui and former police officer turned human rights activist, Dong Guangping to China. Furthermore, the illegal detention of the Taiwanese NGO worker, Lee Ming-Cheh and other human rights abuses also does not convince the people of Hong Kong of their personal security if the extradition bill is passed.

2.)        Therefore, it is within the right of the Hong Kong people to demonstrate their dissatisfaction against the Hong Kong government‘s insistence of passing the bill. And it could be further argued that the Hong Kong people are merely affirming the constitutional principle of ―one country, two systems‖ since the potential implication of the aforementioned bill would see the China government impinging on Hong Kong‘s judicial system. This is why it is rather disappointing for the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, Carrie Lam and the Hong Kong police forces to call out protesters and label the protest as an ‗organised riot‘. We believe that such hasty, unwise and unilateral labelling is a reminiscence of the April 26 Editorial published in People‘s Daily during the height of Tiananmen Square protest which defined the latter as a destabilizing revolt. We believe that such labelling would only intensify the conflict and does not help in seeking reconciliation and compromise from both parties.

3.)        Similarly, Malaysians also had its fair share of tear gases and water canon during peaceful protests under the administration of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, Abdullah Badawi and Najib Razak even though the right to assembly is enshrined under our federal constitution. Nevertheless, we are deeply touched and heartened when Hong Kong People had consistently shown support and solidarity during the few BERSIH demonstrations which we Malaysians were protesting for a clean and fair election. Yet, our historic change of government during the 9th of May 2018 has not yielded the progressive change we are hoping for. Since then, the new government led by Mahathir has not abolished nor amended any draconian and archaic laws that were used by the previous oppressive regime to silence Malaysia political dissidents. This is precisely why we can‘t help but empathize deeply with millions of patriotic Hong Kong people marching on the streets in Hong Kong to defend their human rights, and we also strongly condemn the police for retaliating against most peaceful protesters with an act of brute force.

4.)        We further suggest that the extradition bill must be amended and safeguard must be incorporated to prevent any human rights abuses. Any extradition of criminal suspects in Hong Kong must first be treated fairly, subject to basic human rights and most importantly, any extradition must also go through the judiciary system of Hong Kong.

5.)        In view of the number of people attending the demonstration, the Hong Kong government should immediately withdraw the controversial extradition bill indefinitely. It is imperative that any future extradition bill of the similar ilk must adhere to the principle of

‗one country, two systems‘ and the freedom it subsequently entails which was promised by the China government to the Hong Kong people during 1997.

Endorsement / 聯署
Organisation / 團體:
群議社 Agora Society
業餘者 Amateur
當今峇南 Baramkini
學樂書苑 Happy Learning Books
之間文化實驗室 In Between Cultura
柔南黄色行动小组 Johor Yellow Flame
Malaysia Christian for Justice
净选盟母亲团 Mama Bersih
雪隆社区关怀协会 Per. Komuniti Prihatin Sel &KL
共思社 Ruang Kongsi
Individual / 個人:
曾穎謙 Chan Ying Qian
曾慧玲 Cheng Fui Lien
周小芳 Chew Siew Fong
Chong Yee Chin
張玉珊 Chong Yee Shan
朱进佳 Choo Chon Kai
廖偉翰 David Liew
王慧仪 Heng Hui Yi
许中志 Khow Tong Chee
李成钢 Lee Chen Kang
李惠森 Lee Fui Shen
廖诗弦 Liow Sze Xian
廖永立 Liow Yeong Lih
黄诗颢 Ng Shy Huh
Ng Yi Qi
王振威 Sherab Wong
苏淑桦 Soh Sook Hwa
陳衫豪 Tan Chin How
卓振宏 Toh Chin Hong
邓婉晴 Tung Wan Qing
侯雯詩 Vincy How
黃漢初 Wong Han Choo
葉秀晴 Yip Sau Kam

* Agora Society Malaysia is a loose network of individuals who believe in the principles of
democracy and good governance. More information please visit http://agoramalaysia.blogspot.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/agora.msia