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Fadiah Nadwa Fikri the Rosa Parks of Malaysia |
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(February 4, 1913 – October 24, 2005) was an activist in the civil rights movement best known for her pivotal role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The United States Congress has called her "the first lady of civil rights" and "the mother of the freedom movement" her quotes: No, the only tired I was, was tired of giving in I have learned over the years that when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear Each person must live their life as a model for others |
PETALING JAYA: Activist lawyer Fadiah Nadwa Fikri, urging Pakatan Harapan to “seize the moment” to protect free speech, has expressed concern that despite the change of government on May 9, “it’s still the same old thing as before”.
She said the new government could have declared a moratorium on action under the Sedition Act – she is being investigated by police after an article last month on Anwar Ibrahim’s meeting with Malay Rulers.
She deplored the silence of PH leaders about the sedition investigation, but understood their position as government leaders.
She said the new government could have declared a moratorium on action under the Sedition Act – she is being investigated by police after an article last month on Anwar Ibrahim’s meeting with Malay Rulers.
She deplored the silence of PH leaders about the sedition investigation, but understood their position as government leaders.
[kt's note: where was Lim Kit Siang?]
“A government does what a government does. They don’t want to offend certain people. This issue is a controversial and taboo one since it touches on the monarchy. I totally understand their concerns.”
However, she also said she felt betrayed by Anwar’s actions in trying to set himself up for active politics.
She said the people needed to know they have a right to be critical and question the powers that be. “I’m concerned, too, that after May 9, it’s still the same old thing as before,” she told FMT in an interview.
“Being in a country that is heavily polarised, I think we have to do something now. When are we going to do it if not now?”
She urged Pakatan Harapan to do good on their promise to abolish the Sedition Act. “Pakatan Harapan stood for accountability and transparency. That’s what you said. You want to build a country that is democratic, so you have to put meaning to what you said.
“Don’t let it be just mere rhetoric,” Fadiah said. “You cannot interfere when people express their opinions on things that you consider taboo.”
Fadiah’s recent article was about Anwar Ibrahim’s meeting with several Malay rulers after he was released from prison.
She wrote that, given Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamed’s strained relationship with the monarchy, “there are no prizes for guessing why the prime minister in waiting (Anwar’s own self-description) did what he did”.
She had described his meeting with the Sultan of Johor as being “catatrosphic” and said it represented “indefensible feudal culture”.
Police reports were filed, leading to her being called up for statements to be recorded. She is expected to meet with the Brickfields police again in the following weeks.
Fadiah told FMT that Malaysians were not naive about why Anwar met the Rulers. He was trying to reaffirm his position in the “new” Malaysia, now that he was ready to be active in politics once more.
“I’m not naive to think that politicians will ‘save’ us, but when Anwar was released, I thought to myself, ‘Just maybe, something good would happen now’,” she said.
“After all, Anwar talked about the price of freedom after he was incarcerated for three long years. But now I feel betrayed as a person, and as a Malaysian citizen,” said Fadiah.
Malaysians should no longer be punished for talking about issues deemed controversial by the state.
“This culture of fear among Malaysians is very strong. We can’t talk about religion, race, or royalty, but at the same time, we are a democracy. It’s a big contradiction we have to address.”
“A government does what a government does. They don’t want to offend certain people. This issue is a controversial and taboo one since it touches on the monarchy. I totally understand their concerns.”
However, she also said she felt betrayed by Anwar’s actions in trying to set himself up for active politics.
She said the people needed to know they have a right to be critical and question the powers that be. “I’m concerned, too, that after May 9, it’s still the same old thing as before,” she told FMT in an interview.
“Being in a country that is heavily polarised, I think we have to do something now. When are we going to do it if not now?”
She urged Pakatan Harapan to do good on their promise to abolish the Sedition Act. “Pakatan Harapan stood for accountability and transparency. That’s what you said. You want to build a country that is democratic, so you have to put meaning to what you said.
“Don’t let it be just mere rhetoric,” Fadiah said. “You cannot interfere when people express their opinions on things that you consider taboo.”
Fadiah’s recent article was about Anwar Ibrahim’s meeting with several Malay rulers after he was released from prison.
She wrote that, given Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamed’s strained relationship with the monarchy, “there are no prizes for guessing why the prime minister in waiting (Anwar’s own self-description) did what he did”.
She had described his meeting with the Sultan of Johor as being “catatrosphic” and said it represented “indefensible feudal culture”.
Police reports were filed, leading to her being called up for statements to be recorded. She is expected to meet with the Brickfields police again in the following weeks.
Fadiah told FMT that Malaysians were not naive about why Anwar met the Rulers. He was trying to reaffirm his position in the “new” Malaysia, now that he was ready to be active in politics once more.
“I’m not naive to think that politicians will ‘save’ us, but when Anwar was released, I thought to myself, ‘Just maybe, something good would happen now’,” she said.
“After all, Anwar talked about the price of freedom after he was incarcerated for three long years. But now I feel betrayed as a person, and as a Malaysian citizen,” said Fadiah.
Malaysians should no longer be punished for talking about issues deemed controversial by the state.
“This culture of fear among Malaysians is very strong. We can’t talk about religion, race, or royalty, but at the same time, we are a democracy. It’s a big contradiction we have to address.”
what were u doing when Fadiah's article critical of the monarchs came out?
ReplyDeleteYr sifu was threatening her with bloods:
http://www.malaysia-today.net/2018/07/13/fadiah-nadwa-fikri-adakah-anda-ingin-mengundang-pertumpahan-darah/
U were miao2-ly quiet!
Now when Fadiah Nadwa: Act now to protect free speech comes out, u pretend to be bea tahan & make noise!
May I remind u WHO implement the sedition act?
& what were u doing then? Playing mahjong with Marian lee or practicing how to act otakrosak?
Don't be a hypocrite lah & blame lks!
i thot unlike his son which is a msian, lks is still a chinese, didn't kt said chinese shd not involve, bec rpk wan to see chinese blood.
DeleteU - a m'sian infested with a cure less case of cinapek apologiasis?
DeleteShe went too far.
ReplyDeleteMany Malaysians want a freer, more liberal, more inclusive society.
But calling for an end to the Royal institutions is a No Go area.
We have to know the limits.
I think she is just a spokeswoman for other PH parties to carry the message to Ceasar when the politicians themselves are wary of speaking out in carrying out the reforms of abolishing all those restrictive and repulsive laws.
ReplyDeleteWhy are the Bar Council, NGOs, Civil Rights Movement also quiet on these matters?
Too many datuks, datuk seris lah within those groups.
DeleteToo much noises risk revoking of those 'hard-paid' titles mah.
Lose money, lose face, lagi lose the chance to mingle with the right crowds for business openings!
How can!
Thus, silence as mosque mouses lah.
But kt is a known brownish cur, waiting for his dreamed title lah. Hence his chosen miao2ly penned words.