20010306clight

FAC News
7 March 2001 - 9.30
Raja Petra and 8 others arrested by police

9 political and human rights activists were arrested by the police last night while holding a candlelight vigil in front of the Dang Wangi Police Station. Among those arrested were FAC Director, Raja Petra Raja Kamaruddin and his wife, Marina. Altogether, 3 women and 6 men were arrested. They were taken separately to 2 police stations. For the women, they were taken to the Wangsa Maju police station and the men were taken to the Campbell police station.

The candlelight light vigil was held for Mr. Ezam Mohd Noor, the alternative front youth chief, who was arrested on 5/3/2001, on the eve of the A’idil Adha festivities celebrated by Muslims all over the world after a police report was lodged by the members of the ruling party, the UMNO youth movement over a report in the pro-government newspaper that Mr. Ezam had allegedly stated his intention to organised a nationwide demonstration and a mammoth rally to overthrow the government. He is expected to be brought to the magistrate court on Wednesday for further remand proceeding which allows the police to detain him for a further 14 days for the purposes of investigations.

As of 12.00 midnight, FAC news managed to contact Raja Petra, and was informed that those who were arrested last night might also be brought to the magistrate court tomorrow for further remand proceedings or be released under police bail.

1. Raja Petra Raja Kamaruddin (FAC Director)
2. Marina Abdullah (Raja Petra's wife)
3. Dion Chee Tzuoah
4. Fatimah Harun
5. Tan Seow Kow
6. Badrul Izam (Keadilan Youth, Negeri Sembilan)
7. Azarizam Mohd Shahli
8. Zaridin Adlin
9. Zarifah Adlin

From: radiantjustice@y...
Date: Thu Mar 8, 2001 9:41am
Subject: More news re: Raja Petra

FAC News
8 March 2001 - 12.15

More News From Deputy Director

FAC Director, Raja Petra Raja Kamaruddin has been released from
detention at about 7.57 p.m. this evening. When contacted through his
lawyers, he confirmed that his personal computer had been confiscated
by the police for further investigation under the Sedition Act for
the writings in the FAC website.

After being released, it was discovered that his car which was parked
near the police station had been vandalised and all four tyres were
punctured. His wife, Marina was released earlier at about 7.00 pm
from the Travers police station.

Raja Petra was one of the nine detained last night in front of the
Jalan Stadium police station during a candlelight vigil for the
National Justice Party Youth leader, Mohd Ezam Mohd. Noor. Ezam was
detained under the Sedition Act for his alleged statement in the pro-
government mainstream media.

The nine detained last night will have to report at the Jalan Stadium
police stadium on the 21stof March, where they will be told whether
they will be charged for any offence, and what the charge would be.
All attempts to contact Raja Petra were not possible as, according to
his lawyer, both his cellphones are still at the police station and
will only be returned by the police tomorrow.

Deputy Director FAC

From: Aliran <alirankn@t...>
Date: Wed Mar 7, 2001 9:28pm
Subject: Aliran: Candlelight Vigil - a Threat to Security?

Aliran Media Statement
http://www.malaysia.net/aliran/

Candlelight Vigil - a Threat to Security?

What is this country coming to when citizens can't even hold a candlelight vigil? How can a peaceful expression of support for a colleague be deemed
as threatening the security of the nation? We are becoming paranoid and ridiculous and a laughing stock.

Aliran views the latest rounds of arrests as unjustified, blatant and deserving condemnation.

We call upon the police to release the following immediately and
unconditionally:

· Mohamad Ezam Mohamad Nor, youth head of keADILan (arrested on 5 March 2001), who has been remanded for three more days from today.

And nine others arrested on the night of 6 March for holding a candlelight vigil (which was deemed an illegal assembly) for Ezam in front of the Dang Wangi Police Station:

· Raja Petra Raja Kamaruddin (Free Anwar Campaign Director)
· Marina Abdullah (Raja Petra's wife)
· Dion Chee Tzuoah
· Fatimah Harun
· Tan Seow Kow
· Badrul Izam (keADILan Youth, Negeri Sembilan)
· Azarizam Mohd Shahli
· Zaridin Adlin
· Zarifah Adlin

At the rate we are going, we might soon need a permit to breathe fresh air.

Aliran Executive Committee
7 March 2001