[- S.Pathmavathy, Jan 18, 2012]

Bersih 2.0 chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan has accused the prime minister of “endorsing” threats against her in the run-up to the public rally for electoral reform on July 9 last year.

Recounting the “horrifying” experiences, she told the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) public inquiry today that her personal safety was “intimidated by state actors and non-state actors alike”.

The former Bar Council president cited a report in news portal The Malaysian Insider, which quoted premier Najib Abdul Razak as supporting Pertubuhan Seni Silat Lincah Malaysia, an organisation of silat groups.

The group had warned that it would take on Bersih 2.0 if the rally was not called off.

“I believe, if there are evil enemies who want to attack the country from without and within, ‘anak-anak lincah’ will rise to fight them,” Najib reportedly said two days before the rally.

On July 2, Ambiga related, Najib had labelled her as a “threat to Islam” when he said: “Who doesn’t know Ambiga. She’s the one who threatened Islam. And below her is Mat Sabu.”
 
She was also accused of being supportive of apostates for purportedly having represented Azlina Jailani who converted to Christianity and who then took the government to court for refusing to allow her to change her name to Lina Joy in her identity card.

“There were calls to strip me of my citizenship, attacks by state-controlled media and I believe that all this was condoned by the government,” said Ambiga.

In strengthening her testimony, she submitted news reports and clippings as well as copies of ‘public service announcements’ on government-owned Radio Television Malaysia “demonising Bersih”.

Malay-rights group Perkasa had burned pictures of her and widely distributed leaflets stating ‘Awas! Ambiga wanita Hindu yang berbahaya’.

Ambiga pointed out Perkasa’s veiled threat when their chief Ibrahim Ali warned the Chinese against joining the rally, asking them to stay home and “stock up on food”, in reference to the curfew declared d1uring the 1969 racial riots.

“(On top of that), I was called a traitor …,” she said.

“However, until today none of them (who threatened me) have been charged, maybe called in for a statement (to be recorded), but that’s about it… nothing happened although it was an open threat of criminal intimidation.”

Furthermore, the mainstream media had blatantly accused Bersih 2.0 of being a front for Christian, Jewish and foreign groups, said Ambiga, who also faced the accusation that foreign funds had been channelled into her personal account.

“I was given the impression that my accounts were being investigated. If they were, the authorities till today have had no decency to clear me of the accusations,” she said.

‘Absolutely horrified’

Suhakam vice-chairperson and panel head Khaw Lake Tee then asked Ambiga to describe how she felt when everything was brought to her knowledge.

“Well it didn’t make me happy. It was very discomforting. I was absolutely horrified at the extent they would go to, to stop the rally,” she responded.

“There was a clear intention to cause me harm… that’s why I had to hire a bodyguard upon my family’s insistence.”The threats, she said, made her fear that she was being followed and that her mobile phone was being tapped.

When conducting officer Ameer Izyanif Hamzah asked if there were any direct threats of physical violence, Ambiga told the panel about the SMS threat that was circulated on June 23.

“Besides the text- message there was also a Twitter feed by Papagomo, who I believe is widely known to be well-connected to Umno, who called for me to be gang-raped. So disgraceful,” she said.

This was not the only threat, said Ambiga, and so she proceeded to lodge a police report.

Asked why she had not reported the other threats, Ambiga replied: “Firstly, I was told that there is no need to report all the instances as the police don’t need one to initiate investigations.

“Secondly, it is not practical… I would have to go every day then, because we were threatened often.

“Thirdly, I felt that the entire machinery of the state and the authorities were against me, so I felt there was no point.”

However, the threats did not hinder her day-to-day activities, said Ambiga, although her family members were very concerned for her safety.

‘Gasping for air’

Ambiga then proceeded to describe what had taken place when the Bersih 2.0 leadership, as well as members of the opposition and non-governmental groups decided to stay at the Hilton Hotel opposite KL Sentral on the eve of the rally.

Ambiga was one of 91 individuals listed in a restriction order obtained by the police, to stop them from being present at several spots in Kuala Lumpur on July 9.

As KL Sentral was not specifically noted in the order, the group gathered at the tunnel-like bus underpass at the transport hub, intending to march to Stadium Merdeka via Jalan Tun Sambanthan.

“We came down the escalator and headed out and I was able to see the police beating their shields menacingly (although) I was not in the front line at that time.

“One person was speaking through the loudhailer but it was inaudible because I was inside the tunnel.”

The police had blocked their path, preventing them from moving forward, she said.

“I pushed through to the side of the wall to discuss with others on what to do next.

“Suddenly they (the police) fired tear gas at us. After the first round they continued firing at us, instead of giving us time to (disperse) … they acted in bad faith.”

Ambiga recounted how she was gasping for air while they were all running towards the other exit, through which the buses usually enter the underpass.

However, tear gas canisters were being launched from the other end as well and left little room for the crowd to disperse, she recalled.

“I was completely disorientated. I thought I was going to die. There was definitely excessive use of tear gas.

“I remember repeatedly telling my bodyguard tak tahan lah (can’t take any more) …”

She said she felt that the police had ambushed the Bersih 2.0 supporters with the aim of “trying to harm us, then to disperse us”.

“You don’t use 14 canisters to disperse the crowd. If they wanted us to disperse, why fire from both sides?” she replied to Ameer who asked why she felt ambushed.

“There was only a narrow escalator left, I consider it as a reasonable escape route.”

Ambiga, along with five others, were then arrested and taken to the Kuala Lumpur police contingent headquarters, where she was kept isolated from the others until her release.

She said she had no complaints about the treatment accorded to her after the arrest.

The inquiry is set to resume on Feb 13, when Ambiga will be questioned by observers from the Bar Council and the police force.

The Suhakam panel also intends to recall Brickfields district police chief Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid and several other witnesses.

The panel had intended to wrap up the proceedings today and finalise their report by April. However, due to unforeseen delays, the report is expected to be published later.

Comments

Way Forward AMBIGA, GREAT AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH. JUST STAY FOCUSSED ON YOUR CAUSE AND CONTINUE TO PRESSUE OUR GOVERNMENT RELENTLESSLY!!!! YOU ARE DEFINITELY 1 OF THE MANY GREAT MALAYSIANS WHO WILL PLAY A VERY IMPORTANT HISTORIC ROLE IN BOOTING OUT THIS BN/UMNO COME GE13!!!! AMBIGA, PLS. HELP DRIVE THE MESSAGE AND BEAT THE WAR DRUM – BERSIH 3.0 = GE13!!!!!! TELL THEM TAKE GE13 AS BERSIH 3.0!!!! GO ALL OUT TO GET AS MANY VOTERS AS POSSIBLE COME GE13 TO BOOT OUT THIS BN/UMNO GOVERNMENT!!!! LONG LIVE AMBIGA, LONG LIVE BERSIH AND LONG LIVE PR!!!! LETS VOTE FOR PR!!!!!

toffeesturn.blogspot.com I was there in at the Merdeka Stadium in the afternoon, it was all barricaded, I then moved to Jalan Sultan where there was a sea of people, we eventually were forced toward Tung Shin we were fired upon in same fashion,I ran for cover lucky the rains set in, I was soaked by chemically laced water, then by rain which was a welcome relief. I managed to get to Brickfields and was attempting to get to KL Sentral but could not the tunnel was full of tear gas, the police (FRU) were just leaving then, it ites with Ambiga’s story. I took a taxi then from Brickfields to Klang. Yes we were ambushed all along KL, but that day was ours, we won and Hishamuddin had to lie for what he had planned, after all he is the Minister of Home Affairs. Najib is a tyrant that is why I do not trust the next GE, he will do something, it is in his blood his father was the architect of May 13 and there is the time he stood in a stadium and called for blood which he now denies. any doubts on Altantuya now? 

Malaysia Australia Long live rakyat lets join forces to kick the corrupted government 
 
 Trumpet call The tactics employed by the Govt is not new. It is designed to intimidate and to bully the person into retreat. It is akin to the law if the jungle. But, the bad news for them is we will not be intimidated. We will remain strong and resolute. We will do everything possible within the boundaries of the law to change the Govt. This means every responsible citizen who truly loves Malaysia must stand up to be counted and go for broke at the next GE.

DeTravellerFromUranus Within the next 4 months Ambiga we, the Malaysian Malaysians would have removed the ‘Over the Crushed Bones Prime Minister’ and our pariah regime from Putrajaya.We will and we shall not fail in our mission,Ambiga. And the Lord Almighty God is definitely on the side of the people.

Be Bold Dear Lady Ambigha,I totally respect you and the way you stand for your conviction,it is because of you today there many brave people in this Nation.

Alan Goh Shame on you,1Malaysia PM Najib and the Home affair Minister,Hishammuddin.Shame on you IGP,Ismail and DIGP,Khalid for allowing the police to run riot on the peaceful Bersih 2.0 rally.Bersih malaysians salute you, Ambiga,for your courage and leadership during the Bersih rally.In Malaysia,Bersih becomes kotor and Kotor under UMNO/BN is Bersih..

AnakMsia The corrupted BeEND munafiks are the true ‘ haram-jadahs ‘ !

apaisaloi U are one brave lady , ambiga. We salute u! U shud be the leader of this country. That’s all I can say.

Anonymous It is well known throughout the world that our leader is a lidah biawak (fork tongued). Look at the way he behaves just like an head of a mafia. How to vote for this kind of people.

podeh Oh My Holy God, you must be mistaken, Ambiga. Najib just came out of his “Moderation” conference with his keris well sheathed. He has just advocated that the various races in Malaysia embrace & kiss each other. (A lot of people are after his very pink lips). You better have your facts right; even Ibrahim Ali would like a hug around his considerable girth though most people prefer Najib’s lips. 

Mr KJ John Thanks for speaking up and speaking out Ambiga, we are with you, and as a people organization we will not be cowed by power and authorities who do not respect the law of the land!

sapphire Ferdtan, correct word to describe Najib is ZANY PM,meaning foolish joker. Sad scenario is we have idiots of Bolehland,running dogs like MCA & apple-polishers supporting the evil regime. Up to others to throw him out. He is definitely not fit to lead the nation.

Anonymous_3e8f My blood boils. This 1Bastard and umno, perkasa, pekida all the dumb idiots who support him, his ministers, his cronies, all must go. Hope the stupid ones who voted for umno bums in GE12 will get wise and vote PAKATAN RAKYAT at GE13. What happend to the akumelayu. His testicles shrunk or what.

Ashoka PJ The papagomo bastard asked for you to be gang raped??? The bastard, is he not borne from a woman who he calls mother. Does he not have sisters or daughters. Do these bastards have any religious thread in themselves at all. Who is pariah haramjadah now??? Ambiga is from a Brahmin family.

Baiyuensheng ANd najib says moderation is the way to combat extremism in a recent interview…… Bloody hell, saying with a fork tongue…like a satan.

wanderer This is UMNO PM type of “MODERATION”!…you have killed once, the second time is easy. Ambiga, yes you should take extreme care of yourself…this man has the ‘fire power’, ‘man power’ and the evil mind to do a devilish act!

Ferdtan So who is the real Najib? 1Malaysia PM, 1Brother Ah Jib, 1Ketuanan Melayu, or having many faces depending on the audience or circumstances? We thought that former PM Ahmad Badawi was a flip-flop leader – but it now seems Najib is even worse – more dangerous if we were to give him some leeway. Malaysians – vote ABU (anything but Umno): we want back our country. The country of law and order respected by all – the rich and poor alike. There should not be a rule by law.We have enough of the abuses of power by the elite – especially the police.

Joe Lee The score as seen and felt by the people of Malaysia: For Courage, Integrity and Patriotism: Ambiga: 10, 10, 10. Najib Razak, as co-starred by deputy gang leader Moodin, and Perkasa patron devil, the big samseng Mahashitto: 0, 0, 0. Ambiga stands for ALL Malaysians; the latter jokers, whilst screaming their totally dishonest ‘Agama, Bangsa dan Negara’ screw the country for their own monetary and criminal ends. It is therefore no surprise that Ambiga is rightly honored by the world, while the samsengs are the laughing stock of Asia, and the world. These Malaysian leaders should be very ashamed of themselves. You semua tak ada maruah, lah! Syiok sendiri aja.

Marga Bandoo Hidup Ambiga, The greatest lady. Respected lady. daring lady. You are there for the benefit of rakyat. Not menteri lembu yang mengaut keuntungan for family

supercession For these reasons, UMNO has to be crushed in the next GE.

Keturunan Malaysia Now my fellow Malaysians, just judge for yourselves as I do and I am sure you and I will arrive at the very same conclusion… who is good and who is bad ugly and evil.

Abasir And this is the same scumbag who speaks about ‘moderation’ and 1malaysia whenever it suits him. I suppose his form of moderation is the one experienced by the late Altantuya Sharibu at the hands of his bodyguards.

Mano Keep the courage up. Thanks for being there for all Malaysians. My utmost respect to you,Ambiga. Please quote more of the inconsistent outrageous statements Najib makes in front of one crowd and another in another crowd

YF Does Islam promote corruption, injustice, racism, violence, porn and fitnah? So far UMNO and it’s president is promoting such things. So WHO is the real enemy of Islam? The rakyat’s respect for Islam and Malays has eroded due to UMNO. Cakap tak serupa bikin. Bertaubatlah.

Freemsia Najib has never been consistent from the very beginning. He can talk about 1Malaysia. Then he turns around and give a totally un-1Malaysia speech while at Pekida Assembly. He talks about his Global Movement of the Moderates. Then turns around with his high-handed action during Bersih 2.0 rally. This guy has and will never be sincere. He only talks in the hope of gaining popularity. At the end of the day, what he REALLY, REALLY,…. cares about is his own interest,… which is to remain in power. Najib is a HYPOCRITE!

Jedi_Who Ambiga is highlighting the mind policing and terrorism by our UMNO morons. If you don’t find a platform to get publicity and recourse on this they will do it again in the days leading to Bersih 3.

anak,bangsa,malaysia I totally concur with Ambiga because Najib is more than capable of doing this. Najib is not capable to be the PM of this country. In 1987 before the Operation Lalang, Najib is alleged to have to uttered words ” I nak cuci keris ini dengan darah orang cina “. So he is very dangerous, racist and a terrorist. So far , whatever he is saying is always contradicting himself and as of yesterday it is done on the international front. I am expecting Ambiga to take Najib to court for behaving in that like manner. Najib and Umno were both threats to Ambiga especially when the former king gave audience to Ambiga. This goes to show that the former king was giving so much respect to Ambiga because that was what the rakyat wanted – a free and fair election. The govt of the day was seen on losing grounds as it did not echo the wishes of the rakyat. This was indeed a slap on Najib and Umno. So I also urge Ambiga and Pak Samad to take up the lead for Bersih 3.0 This time for the entire country.

Sadirah It is sad to see a politician like Najib who is everything to everybody. His position depends on his audience. Spineless he continues to contradict himself and such are the leaders who are meant to give leadership to this nation. Born with a golden spoon he is PM by virtue of his heritage hence not a grass roots politician who has to win people with ideas and convictions. Indecisive, ever changing in his position he continues to make boo boos all the time. Naturally such people are afraid of people who champion a cause because they have only one cause and that is to remain in power so manipulation is the best option. By doing so they reveal their incompetencies. He is just a paper tiger and if he ursurps power than he will have to face the wrath of people’s power. Sadirah K

Loyal Malaysian OMG!! Seeing it in hard print like this, I really shudder at the fact that we have a leader like this as our PM!!

Qiqi Take care, sister. Be on your guard. May good triumph over evil.

Zz2XX What do you expect from someone who is devious and two-faced? GE13 will signal the demise of umNO racist govt and its leader has only the racial card to play.

GoneBananas Any face reader can tell you, one look at Najib’s lifeless eyes – and you know this is a man whose soul is no longer present in his own body, that he has been completely taken over by astral parasites and is merely carrying out a diabolical agenda like a zombie. This is what makes him dangerous – he no longer has a conscience and is only focused on political survival at all costs.

2CTS WORTH Ambiga do take care Malaysia needs you As for your allegation against PM I believe I have begun to ask myself-“What is he incapable of” way way back

Ir Dr MAMAKTHIEW MAMAD aka Mamak Bendahara JUST BEFORE the church was firebombed over the Allah issue, it was Najis who said, “The Government cannot stop people from demonstrating and expressing their feelings in mosques.” Wasn’t this what he said? No? Go and check the mainstream paper — and come back to me, to see if this is true what I quoted.

VGEORGEMY Ambiga, this is his character. We need to be careful as UMNO is above rule of law. We are fearful for your safety

Garrulous Gary This lady has more guts than Najib, that’s for sure!