Highlights
– Malaysian government continues to arrest protesters ahead of national polls
– Human rights activists accuse authorities of restricting freedom of expression
– Ethnic tensions will likely continue in the long-term as authorities continue discriminatory practices for the sake of ‘national security’
On December 9, 2007, police arrested 21 opposition members and lawyers after more than one month of mass protests and arrests throughout Malaysia. Despite intense opposition, authorities have banned all public gatherings, citing a threat to public order.
The two main minority communities in Malaysia, ethnic Chinese and Indians, complain the majority Malay Muslims ignore their problems. Political demonstrations have escalated in the past month largely due to national polls, expected early next year.
Ethnic tensions will likely increase in the coming months as Malaysia’s leaders justify curtailed public freedoms for stability.
Beginnings of Dissent
In a rare display of anti-government sentiment, over 30,000 opposition activists demonstrated to demand electoral reform in Kuala Lumpur on November 10, 2007. Only two weeks later 10,000 ethnic Indians clashed with the Kuala Lumpur police, who eventually used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds on November 25, 2007.
A new group called the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) organized the November 25th demonstrations. The group was formed in response to a growing anger among ethnic Indians, who accuse Malaysian leaders of infringing on their religious rights as a result of increasing Islamization of the country. Hindraf also protested unfair elections, corruption, unfair distribution of natural resources and political interference in the judiciary. Ethnic Indians make up eight percent of Malaysia’s 27 million people, while Malay Muslims comprise 60 percent of the population and control political power.
Overall, 12 members of the opposition coalition were arrested for participating in the first rally and 31 Indians were charged with attempted murder after a policeman was injured during the second rally. On December 6, 2007, a Malaysian court denied bail for the 31 ethnic Indians, who could face up to 20 years in jail if found guilty of the charge.
Security Law
Malaysian Prime Minister (PM) Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is currently contemplating the implementation of the Internal Security Act (ISA) against Hindraf. The government accused the group of having ties with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which Hindraf denies.
The ISA allows the government to detain public dissenters without trial; a measure condemned by Malaysian lawyers and human rights activists. PM Badawi stated, “ISA is an option. I will decide when the time is right.” He further stated that if the government believes Hindraf is a threat to national security then he will not hesitate to impose the law.
However, numerous human rights activists have reported that even the threat of the law will further anger the public and scare away potential foreign investors.
Outlook
On December 10, 2007, another lawyer was detained as he attempted to stop police from taking down International Human Rights Day banners. In response to growing criticism of the arrests, PM Badawi has stated that public safety is the government’s top priority and “irresponsible” people will be met with severe consequences.
Although the Malaysian government looks determined to continue the crackdown on anti-government protests, opposition protests continued on December 11, 2007. An additional 29 people were arrested and former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was detained briefly at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. He was released less than one hour later; however, police informed him that he is on a government watch list.
As long as Indian leaders continue to disassociate themselves with the protesting ethnic Indians, the Malaysian government will be able to continue its crackdown on public dissent. However, the protests will likely increase in both intensity and violence in the near to mid-term, which may result in unwanted international attention on the escalating racial tensions.
