The Malaysian government has begun an attack on opposition groups. The UMNO / National Front government of Prime Minister Mahathir is arresting leaders of opposition groups and is attempting to close down opposition papers. This attack is aimed at discouraging popular protests against corruption and to stop Malaysian workers and democratic rights activists organising independent campaigns. The following people have been arrested: Mohamed Ezam Mohd Noor, Parti KeADILan youth chief, arrested on charges of sedition or under Official Secrets Act, presumably for writing articles against government corruption. Karpal Singh, Democratic Action Party MP, Lawyer to jailed ex-deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, arrested for comments made in court alleging an attempt to poison Anwar. Zulkifli Sulong, Harakah editor, arrested under the Sedition Act . Chia Lim Thye, printing press company owner, Harakah printer, arrested under the Sedition Act. Marina Yusof, Parti KeADILan vice president, arrested on charges of sedition. Police has issued reports against the following newspapers: Utusan Malaysia Harakah This may be the beginning of a wider attack against all opposition groups, and against remaining democratic rights in Malaysia. Protest statements have been issued by: Southeast Asian Press Alliance Reporters Sans Frontieres Committee to Protect Journalists Defend Malaysian workers and activists for democratic rights, who are now under attack. Send messages of solidarity to: Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) 383, 1st Floor, Jalan 5/59 46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia tel: 60-3-7784 3525 / 7782 0357 fax: 60-3-7784 3526 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] website: http://www.suaram.org mirror: http://www.c2o.org/mirrors/suaram/ Sources: www.malaysia.net/aliran www.malaysiakini.com www.suaram.org *** Australia Asia Worker Links PO Box 264 Fitzroy Victoria 3065 Australia Tel: 03 9419 5045 Fax: 03 9416 2746 E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.alexia.net.au/~www/mhutton/index.html Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
