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Malaysian Ambassador: Maria Chin Arrested on Treason Charge

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23 December 2016 16:42 WIB

Maria Chin Abdullah, chairwoman of the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih), waves to the crowd during a candlelight vigil at Merdeka (Independence) square in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Monday, Nov. 28, 2016. AP/Lim Huey Teng

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Malaysian Ambassador to Indonesia Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohamed Hashim has his say on Tempo Magazine and Tempo daily newspaper’s interview with the chair of Bersih 2.0 Maria Chin.

Started in 2013, the Bersih movement is aimed at improving the electoral system, fighting corruption and reforming public institutions in Malaysia. Last month, a day before the fifth rally, known as Bersih 5, Maria was arrested and imprisoned for ten days. In her interview, Maria claimed that she was ill-treated. Ambassador Zahrain said that Maria had been given the same treatment as other inmates.

According to Zahrain, police had enough evidence to arrest Maria, which include the fact that Bersih 2.0 movement was no longer about free and fair election, but had been hijacked to overthrow the legitimate government. Below is Zahrain’s interview with Tempo and other media in Jakarta on Thursday, December 22, 2016.

What is your account of the arrest of the chair of Bersih 2.0 Maria Chin?

In an interview with Tempo, she told the story after she was arrested. It’s her side of the story. But she was arrested for a reason, i.e. because police considered that her activity could do harm to the state.

She was arrested on that basis. She said that she was mistreated and sleep-deprived, it was not true.

An inmate is an inmate. All inmates are treated the same in Malaysia. There is no special inmate. That is the fact. It must be understood.

The issue Maria raised was Bersih's issue. Bersih is a movement to promote free and fair campaign. But the campaign has proven otherwise; to overthrow the government, talking about corruption, 1MDB, injustice. A lot of accusations.

Many opposition figures were involved, turning it into a political rally. Political rally to overthrow the democratically elected government. It is wrong. It is against the government. Any sovereign country will not let it happen. You will not let the government [being overthrown] by force or by show of force of 30-40,000 people.

Regime change must be carried out democratically, i.e. through elections.

Is Maria Chin really that dangerous so that the government fears her?

I will not answer that—it is the police [job]. Police must have enough evidence to make arrest. But [she] was temporarily detained. The legal proceedings are certainly ongoing.

Police will decide whether she has violated the law or not. Of course, she has to undergo legal proceedings.

Compared to Tun Mahathir (Mahathir Mohammad, former Malaysian prime minister, Ed.), who is more dangerous, Maria Chin or Tun Mahathir?

If police have enough evidence, they will arrest Tun Mahathir as well.

Meaning that Tun Mahathir is no more dangerous than Maria Chin?

No. If you said something about the government, criticize the government, it is your right. In Malaysia, we practice democracy. You have the right to criticize the government.

But if you incite treason, it is illegal. It is a threat. Mahathir can say whatever he wants. For me, if police found evidence that Mahathir was involved in a conspiracy or plotted to overthrow the legitimate royalty, who has been sworn in and elected by the people, police will certainly act.

Police will act according to the law. Not to arrest, send [suspects] to 10-20 years in jail, there are [legal] process. It’s a civilized country.

Having read the article in Tempo Magazine and Tempo daily newspaper on the interview with Maria Chin, what is your objection?

For me, it’s a one-sided article. I think you should be fair. I will give you time to interview me.

There must be evidence about why she was arrested by police. On mistreatment, it is false, because a panel report stated that Maria Chin was treated just like other inmates.

If Maria Chin wanted regime change, [she must] follow the legal process. Bersih’s demand has always been about free and fair election. But you can see many opposition leaders at Bersih 5.0. So it was not merely a mass rally to demand free and fair election, but a movement attended by the oppositions to overthrow the government.

But the government did not arrest the oppositions?

No, they only assembled [at the rally]. In Malaysia, you are allowed to stage an action. In a field, for instance, the owner of the field must give his/her permission first, otherwise you cannot demonstrate there.

NATALIA SANTI



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