By BERSIH 2.0


KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia--The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH) staunchly condemns the arrest of activist Jay Jay Denis, who was detained for a few hours by the police for posting a tweet critical of Ali Rustam, Malacca governor and former UMNO chief minister

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia--The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH) staunchly condemns the arrest of activist Jay Jay Denis, who was detained for a few hours by the police for posting a tweet critical of Ali Rustam, Malacca governor and former UMNO chief minister.

BERSIH reminds all parties that State Governors are ultimately public servants whose maintenance is sustained with taxpayers' money and they must accept that they are subject to scrutiny by members of the public.

Taking their power for granted and attempting to silence legitimate criticism will only undermine the legitimacy of the state-level highest public office and even parliamentary democracy.

BERSIH is alarmed that such a benign tweet would invite disproportionate retaliation, with three officers showing up to arrest a citizen for speaking up against a public official.

The authorities unjustified action reminds the public of the need for an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).

BERSIH stands by Jay Jay, incidentally a former member of its steering committee, on both his freedom of expression enshrined in Article 10(1)(c) and his legitimate criticism of the Malacca former Chief Minister on his conduct.

BERSIH calls on the authorities to respect constitutional rights and cease all threats and intimidations, especially in the run-up to GE15,  and urges all concerned citizens to express their support for Jay Jay and other victims of human rights violations.