Every state, over the years, has used different apparatus to curb dissent and opposition. Among the strongest movements against these practices were the Reformasi movement and, later, Bersih. To date these movements did produce some significant reforms but they are still many limitations .
Now, it is deeply depressing to note that the Reformasi-led government has found new avenues to curb the activities of vibrant civil society groups.
PSM, which was itself a victim of the Emergency Ordinance in 2011, is appalled by the action taken against Mandiri directors Amir Hadi and Dobby Chew, whose personal accounts as well as the organisation’s accounts have been frozen, and who have been slapped with a travel ban. At least under the ISA, one knew where such actions were coming from. Here, the two directors of Mandiri were not issued any notice. To date, no formal notice or explanation has been given to any of the parties involved regarding the basis for the freezing of accounts or the travel bans nor have they been called for questioning.
Without a clear accusation, one can only assume that AMLA (Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing, Anti-Restricted Activity Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001) which enables the freezing of accounts is being used. Another factor being thrown around is foreign funding. Putting these two together can make people’s imaginations run wild.
PSM would like to state that it is no secret and no breaking news that most Malaysian NGOs receive foreign funding. It is also an open secret that the state itself receives foreign funding, and that the state also funds certain organisations and NGOs. It is also quite obvious that the state does not give funding to organisations which fight for social and political rights.
It is also not an offence for NGOs to receive foreign funding, and the existing laws in the country do address the need for these organisations to be accountable.
It is therefore only logical that the attack on Mandiri is politically motivated, since Mandiri has been one of the organisations most vocal in calling for the sacking of Azam Baki, as well as calling for an RCI on Azam Baki and the corporate mafia episode. It was also no other than PKR Youth chief who is also Anwar’s political secretqry Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim who issued media statement on the allegations of foreign interference, national sovereignty and national security. These terms used by Kamil is not new to us and is consistent with similar attacks on the civil society.
It is our experience that when a state takes such actions, it is either because they want to curb and suppress these organisations, or to divert attention from other developing issues in the country especially with the current falling out between UMNO and PH. Such actions could also be intended to make organisations like Mandiri spend more time on their own case, rather than focusing on the affairs of the country.
Mandiri has openly called upon the government to be transparent and to prosecute them if any offence has been committed.
PSM believes these actions against Mandiri are simply to make Mandiri a fall guy and to threaten and intimidate other organisations that are calling for reforms.
We stand in solidarity with Mandiri and call upon the Reformasi-led Madani Government to stop this. Let us not use oppressive laws against a dissenting civil society movement.
S. Arutchelvan
Deputy Chairperson
Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM)