Your human rights 'reforms' meaningless & cosmetic, "laughing stock" Najib told

I refer to statements made by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak today at the International Malaysia Law Conference 2012. Najib claimed to have upheld human rights and democracy by repealing the ISA and allowing freedom of speech and assembly through amendments to the Printing Press and Publications Act 1984( PPPA) and the Peaceful Assembly Act.

In fact these amendments allow Najib and the BN to maintain their stranglehold on freedom and democracy in Malaysia.

Meaningless & cosmetic only

The ISA has been replaced by the Security Offences( Special Measures) Act 2012( SOSMA) which contains harsh provisions which have been widely condemned by human rights and civil society groups. More seriously, Najib deliberately did not repeal the draconian Article 149 of the Federal Constitution which allows for anti-democratic legislation such as ISA and SOSMA to be enacted. The continued existence of Article 149 proves that Najib and the BN are not serious about upholding democracy and human rights.

The amendments to the PPPA 1984 have had no impact whatsoever in increasing media freedom. This is because the amended law still requires print media to apply for a licence which can be cancelled by the BN government at their whims and fancies.

Further, for the first time in our legislative history, street demonstrations have been banned under the new Peaceful Assembly Act. The fundamental right to carry out street demonstrations is a key feature of working democracies throughout the world. Even, Burma which is under military rule, allows for street demonstrations.

It is absurd and illogical for Najib to claim that he has created a more 'open and dynamic democracy' through these dishonest and superficial measures.

Prime Minister Najib is making a laughing-stock of our country by making such ludicrous claims at an International Conference. We call upon Najib and the government to abandon these meaningless half-measures, and instead institute full-fledged reforms which will allow real freedoms to Malaysians.

N SURENDRAN IS VICE PRESIDENT, PARTI KEADILAN RAKYAT