Latest news with #Suaram
Free Malaysia Today
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
60 at rally to demand stepping down of MACC chief
Participants at the rally calling for MACC chief Azam Baki to resign. KUALA LUMPUR : Some 60 protesters marched to Dataran Merdeka tonight to call for Azam Baki, who recently had his tenure as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption commission chief extended, to step down. The participants, who included representatives from NGOs such as rights group Suaram, electoral reform group Bersih and political parties like Muda and Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM), marched from the Sogo shopping complex just after 8pm. Muda acting president Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz called for greater transparency from the government and not weaponise the anti-graft agency. 'This isn't the first time the people have gathered to reject Azam. Don't use MACC to protect ministers and their allies,' she told the crowd. A representative from the National Youth Federation, Hamdin Nordin, said they were seeking an explanation over the decision to classify the investigation into the death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock in 2009 as 'no further action'. On May 22, the Attorney-General's Chambers said it had studied the police's fresh investigation paper and found a lack of evidence to pin Teoh's death on anyone. Teoh was found dead on July 16, 2009 after falling from the fifth floor of Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam after being questioned for several hours by MACC officers. Azam had his tenure extended by a year, for the third time, earlier this month, drawing brickbats from anti-graft activists as well as PKR's Nurul Izzah Anwar, the daughter of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The MACC chief, who first took office in 2020, was given a one-year extension on May 10, 2023, and another one-year extension last year. Last night, Anwar defended the decision to extend Azam's contract, saying it would be difficult to find a successor bold enough to take down the 'big fish'.
Free Malaysia Today
06-05-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Activists renew plea for Singapore to spare Pannir
Activists gathered outside the Singapore High Commission in Kuala Lumpur tonight to urge the Singaporean government to commute Malaysian P Pannir Selvam's death sentence. KUALA LUMPUR : A group of about 20 activists have renewed calls for the Malaysian government, as Asean chair, to urge Singapore to commute Malaysian P Pannir Selvam's death sentence. Members of the Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network (Adpan), Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) and Amnesty International Malaysia gathered outside the Singapore High Commission here tonight, where they held placards and chanted slogans such as 'Give Pannir a second chance', 'Abolish the death penalty' and 'Free Pannir'. Pannir, a 38-year-old who was sentenced to death in 2017 after being convicted of drug trafficking in Singapore, will appear before the Singapore Court of Appeal at 10am tomorrow for a post-appeal application hearing. Adpan project officer Janice Ananthan urged the Malaysian government to protect its citizens abroad. 'Malaysia has reformed some of our death penalty laws. As Asean chair and Pannir's home country, we call on the government to act,' she said at the rally. Amnesty International campaigner Qistina Johari said Pannir's sister was in Singapore for the hearing, while his parents were in Ipoh. The group also called on the Singapore government to 'end the cruel and inhuman punishment' of the death penalty. NGOs have previously urged Singapore to commute Pannir's sentence and impose a moratorium on executions. Pannir was convicted on June 27, 2017 of trafficking in 51.84gm of diamorphine through the Woodlands checkpoint on Sept 3, 2014. Pannir, who was given a package by a Malaysian to be handed over to a Singaporean man once he arrived in the republic, has consistently denied knowing that the package contained drugs. On Feb 19, he was granted a stay of execution by the Court of Appeal just hours before his scheduled execution. Pannir was also granted a stay of execution in 2019.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Suaram says two activists arrested over attempt to meet Home Ministry officials on Sosma issues
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 13 — Rights group Suaram said six police officers from the Putrajaya district headquarters arrested activists Sevan Doraisamy and Azura Nasron today for allegedly entering a protected area in the Home Ministry without authorisation. The group said duo had been waiting for two and a half hours at the Home Ministry (KDN) earlier in the week for their promised entry pass but were allegedly ignored by police and Rela personnel. '''Before the police arrived this morning, they had informed the two that they were coming to serve a 111 notice, but ambushed them with an arrest instead,' the group said in Facebook post. The two had been at KDN to discuss issues related to the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) but were prevented from entering. Sevan is currently under arrest and is expected to be questioned by the authorities regarding the incident. Suaram condemned the arrests as an act of intimidation against human rights defenders. A lawyer representing the activists is en route to IPD Putrajaya to seek legal access and ensure their rights are upheld.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Police clarify Suaram director not arrested, but called in to give statement
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 12 — Police clarified that Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) executive director Sevan Doraisamy was called in by Putrajaya police earlier today to give his statement for allegedly entering the Home Ministry's protected area on Monday. Assistant Commissioner Aidi Sham Mohamed clarified to Malay Mail that Sevan was not under arrest. 'Not arrested,' he said in a brief WhatsApp reply. When asked if Sevan was called in to only give a statement, his reply was affirmative. Earlier, rights group Suaram said six police officers from the Putrajaya district headquarters arrested activists Sevan Doraisamy and Azura Nasron today for allegedly entering a protected area in the Home Ministry without authorisation. The group said the duo had been waiting for two and a half hours at the Home Ministry (KDN) earlier in the week for their promised entry pass but were allegedly ignored by police and Rela personnel. 'Before the police arrived this morning, they had informed the two that they were coming to serve a 111 notice, but ambushed them with an arrest instead,' the group said in a Facebook post. The two had been at KDN to discuss issues related to the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) but were prevented from entering.
