Gov’t bans wearing of Bersih 4 T-shirts
1. The wearing of a T-shirt does not qualify as printing, importation, etc, even possession.
2. A T-shirt hardly qualifies as a publication.
3. The publication has to be prejudicial to public order, security or contrary to law, which is impossible for a T-shirt, even with the words ‘Bersih 4′ on it.
GE14NOW!: This is the very reason why this lot needs to go. Since when is the word ‘bersih’ an undesirable word? Does that mean that a government that is ‘bersih’ is undesirable?
Patriot1: How come the ban was uploaded through the Attorney-General Chamber’s website?
Well, I think the Malaysian government just scored a ‘world first’ – banning a T-shirt that is not even governed by the legislation used to banned it.
Justice Pao: Former federal court judge Gopal Sri Ram, says that printing the word “Bersih” on shirts is not covered under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 as they do not come under ‘publications’.
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi does not understand that any print on shirts or what we wear are not publications, otherwise all those companies making clothes would have to apply for printing licenses.
Headhunter: This latest ridiculous gazette only goes to show how fearful the Najib regime is. Now they don’t even dare to look behind themselves in case they see their own shadow following them.
The whole world is laughing at them. This is so much like the final days of the Marcos regime in the Philippines, when people power was confronting them. They took desperate measures which in the end came to naught.
Oh Ya?: Can’t blame the ruling elite for being ultra-sensitive and going berserk with “bersih” which is not in their DNA.
Haven’t they literally rewritten the Prevention of Crime Act, removed law enforcement officers from investigating their sins and even took offence with Penang’s Bersih theme for the Merdeka celebrations?
May be they will soon ban this word from the school textbooks and change the laws to make it an offence to be ‘bersih’?
Oxymoronictendencies: Oh dear. And today I bought four Bersih T-shirts and three Bersih scarfs. If it is now illegal to have such things, what should I do? Perhaps a ceremonial burning in front of Parliament?
Quigonbond: It’s instructive to read what transpired during Bersih 3, after the coming into force of the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA).
The police at that time deemed the Dataran Merdeka sit-in to be illegal, but the court has since declared that the police have no such power.
Therefore, when Malaysians march, we are marching in support of His Majesty’s Parliament and judiciary.
The yellow T-shirt banning gazette itself is also telling – there is only unlawfulness if there is an element of public disorder.
PAA ensures that protestors’ actions are supported in law, thereby negating the element of public disorder. If police confiscate the T-shirts, that will be robbery, theft, assault and battery.
The police can look to thousands of civil actions against them. There is no draconian law and cynical law enforcement that can stop a natural tour de force which time has come.
HiddenHand: Our authorities are afraid that this rally will go out of control. That’s why they forbid this rally to be held on the streets.
The place is not suitable plus it is full of people who want to go shopping and traders who want to run their business there.
If they really concerned about Malaysia, they will not organise this rally at the first place, especially in crowded places like Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Dataran Merdeka where right now, they are having rehearsals for our National Day. It is unacceptable.
Anonymous 2301431436259502: That maybe a good idea to wear your T-shirt inside out, so there is no publication of the words ‘Bersih’. You may still be guilty of possession but is it reasonable for the police to strip you to check?
Dr Patricia A Martinez: I do wonder if the police are tearing their hair out (metaphorically) wondering if the home minister thought this through.
The police will have to arrest thousands of people and process – paperwork, etc – thousands of people. And if it is a very serious threat to national security, remand thousands of people. Where?
Anonymous 2301431436259502: Firstly, a law that is impossible to enforce or unlikely to be observed, would fall into disrepute; and secondly, such an executive order is subject to challenge in the court of law. Such order seems mala fide, and may or may not be ultra vires.
Anonymous_1408265047: Try to explain to visitors the reason that Bersih 4 T-shirts are banned…
Local: These T-shirts are banned.
Visitor: Why?
Local: Because they have ‘Bersih’ on them.
Visitor: Is it a dirty word? What does it mean?
Local: It means clean.
Visitor: What is wrong with being clean?
Local: Well, there is nothing wrong with being clean, but the government does not like it because it really means clean elections and uncorrupted government.
Visitor: Is the government against clean elections and clean government?
Local: No, not really. It just does not like the people wearing the T-shirts asking for clean government.
Visitor: Why is the government against these people asking for clean government?
Local: Because it gives the impression that the government is not clean.
Visitor: So the government bans T-shirts that demand cleanliness? There is a problem here with logic and reason. Why don’t the Bersih people talk to government about this matter?
Local: That is how it all started.
The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. Over the past one year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now.
These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.
Read more: https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/310388#ixzz3kCN1gwRN
