Read the following report published in the New York Times and see below for an appeal sent out by the Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM). Among those arrested were close friends of SP, Comrade Arul and Comrade Selvam who has been a guest of SP in Australia and spoken at many of our meetings.

Click here to read further reports published on the CWI website

From the New York Times, January 26, 2008.

Malaysian police detained at least 40 activists on Saturday in a crackdown on a planned opposition-led protest over inflation ahead of national elections expected within weeks.

Opposition groups wanted to hold the rally Saturday outside Kuala Lumpur’s landmark Petronas Twin Towers to demand that the government forego a likely fuel price hike and prevent the cost of essential goods
from rising.

Authorities said organizers had not applied for the legally required permission to hold a public demonstration. Opposition leaders said their application would probably have been rejected, noting that police had prevented several street demonstrations since November.

Police and a truck with a water cannon stood ready Saturday as more than 100 demonstrators tried to gather near the towers. Some shouted ”Reformasi,” the Malay word for ”reform.”

Witnesses and journalists at the scene said authorities detained at least 40 people. Other would-be demonstrators lingered in the area for more than an hour before dispersing peacefully.

”The leadership is paranoid,” opposition activist Nasir Hashim told reporters. ”There is no justice, no democracy.”

Authorities have been wary of street protests in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s largest city, after two rallies in November drew tens of thousands of people demanding electoral reforms and racial equality. Police used water cannons and tear gas to quell both rallies.

Rising prices of essential items and services, such as food and transportation, are among voters’ key concerns ahead of general elections that are widely expected to be held in March.

According to government data released earlier this week, the consumer price index rose 2.4 percent in December 2007 from a year earlier – the fastest pace since a 3.1 percent increase last February – mostly because of higher food and transportation costs.

On Friday, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi told CNN that Malaysians appear to be ready for general elections — in his clearest indication so far that he plans to call early polls soon.

The ruling National Front’s current five-year mandate only expires in mid-2009. The coalition — which has governed Malaysia since 1957 – is expected to easily retain power.

From the Socialist Party of Malaysia, January 27, 2008.

54 protesters arrested in relation to a protest against price hikes organised by the Coalition Against Inflation.

The government’s crackdown on peaceful assembly continued, when the police
arrested more then 50 individuals, including opposition leader and supporters near Ampang Park LRT station at about 3pm Saturday afternoon.

Those arrested are reported to be held at the Lumpur Contingent Police Headquarters (IPK Kuala Lumpur) Kuala Lumpur. 54 individuals are confirmed to be detained at IPK Kuala Lumpur. S. Arutchelvan (Arul) and 2 others were taken to Pudu Jail.

Article 10 of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia guarantees the right to freedom of assembly and expression. However, the draconian Police Act circumvents the right by requiring a permit to be applied from the police for a gathering that is more than three people.

Therefore, PSM call for all the detainees to be released unconditionally and immediately.

For enquiries, please contact Comrade Siva on +60-16-6798005

Urgent action needed

SP calls on all members and supporters to take the following immediate actions

1) Make a phone call to Kuala Lumpur Police Headquarters and call for a immediate and unconditional release of all detainees.

2) Spread this news and get friends and comrades to call to IPK and send protest letters.

3) Please send your protest to the various Malaysian authorities for clamping down the right to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression of Malaysians. Your protest letters should be sent to the following:

1) Prime Minister’s Office Malaysia
Perdana Putra Building
Federal Government Administrative Centre
62505 Putrajaya, Wilayah Persekutuan,
Malaysia.
Tel: +603 8888 8000
Fax: +603 8888 3444

2) Tan Sri Musa Hassan
Ketua Polis Malaysia (Inspector-General of Police)
Ibu Pejabat Polis Diraja Malaysia,
50560 Bukit Aman,
Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: +603 -22626015
Fax: +603 -22725613

3) Ibu Pejabat Polis Kontinjen Kuala Lumpur (Kuala Lumpur Contingent Police (HQ)
Polis Diraja Malaysia
Jalan Hang Tuah
51100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603 -21460522, +603 -2485522
Fax: +603 -20726786

Cc:

1) Malaysian Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM)
Tingkat 29, Menara Tun Razak
Jalan Raja Laut 50350
Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: +603 -26125600
Fax: +603 -26125620
Chaiman: Tan Sri Abu Talib Othman

Please send a copy to int.psm@gmail.com