Act on death, rape threats against Umany members, police told

 

NGOs and other groups are urging police to probe death and rape threats against members of the University of Malaya Association of New Youth (Umany).

In a statement they signed, 54 groups said inaction on the part of the police could be perceived as their endorsement of cyberthreats in the name of royalism.

"This may make them (the police) complicit in any criminal actions carried out by these thugs and the ruining of the good reputation of the Rulers and the country.

"This will not be acceptable for Malaysians who truly love the country, the King and the Constitution," the statement, released to the media last night, says.

Umany lodged a police report last week against the threats made against their members.

The threats came almost two weeks after the group published a controversial statement regarding the role of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in national affairs.

This came after the Agong rejected the government's request for a state of emergency declaration and had advised all MPs to support Budget 2021.

Umany argued that the king “should not interfere in national affairs, must always maintain a neutral attitude and play his role within the framework permitted by the Constitution”.

Umany subsequently withdrew the statement and apologised, two weeks ago.

In their statement, the 54 groups said that as the country is a constitutional monarchy, opinions that did not question Article 181 on the Ruler's sovereignty were constitutionally protected under freedom of speech, as provided by Article 10.

They said any group that disagrees with Umany should express it with facts and logic in a civil manner, and not resort to violence or threats.

The statement was signed by:

1. Coalition for Clean and Fair Election (Bersih 2.0); 2. Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia (GBM); 3. Projek Wawasan Rakyat (POWR); 4. ENGAGE; 5. Agora Society; 6. All Women’s Action Society (AWAM); 7. Baramkini; 8. Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia (BMSM); 9. Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ); 10. Citizens Against Enforced Disappearances (CAGED); 11. Global Bersih; 12. Growing Emerging Leaders (GEL); 13. Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS); 14. Justice for Sisters; 15. Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH); 16. Liga Rakyat Demokratik; 7. LLG Cultural Development Centre (LLG); 18. Malaysian Action for Justice and Unity (MAJU); 19. Merdeka University Berhad (MUB); 20. Monsoons Malaysia; 21. Muslim Professional Forum (MPF); 22. Negeri Sembilan Chinese Assembly Hall (NSCAH); 23. Oriental Hearts and Mind Study Institute (OHMSI); 24. Partners of Community Organizations in Sabah (PACOS Trust); 25. Penyelidikan Sosio-Budaya Saudara (SAUDARA); 26. Pergerakan Tenaga Akademik Malaysia (GERAK); 27. Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara (ALIRAN); 28. Persatuan Komuniti Prihatin Selangor and KL; 29. Persatuan Penduduk Petaling Jaya (MyPJ); 30. Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor (PSWS); 31. Pertubuhan Solidaritas; 32. Pusat KOMAS (KOMAS); 33. Sabah Human Rights Centre (SHRC); 34. Sabah Women's Action-Resource Group (SAWO); 35. Sarawak Association For Peoples' Aspiration (SAPA); 36. Society for Equality, Respect And Trust for All (SERATA); 37. Society for the Promotion of Human Rights (PROHAM); 38. Sabah Reform Initiative (SARI); 39. Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM); 40. Tenaganita; 41. Teoh Beng Hock Trust for Democracy; 42. Tindak Malaysia; 43. Sisters in Islam (SIS); 44. United Chinese School Committees' Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong); 45. Voice of Youtharian; 46. Student Unity Front UKM; 47. Malaysia Youth and Students Evolution Melaka; 48. Angkatan Mahasiswa UM; 49. Demokrat UM; 50. Suara Siswa UM; 51. Presiden dan Setiausaha PKAUM; 52. University of Malaya Students' Union; 53. Tunku Abdul Rahman Association New Youth (TARANY); and 54. Youth of Tunku Abdul Rahman (YOUTAR). - Mkini