[asia-apec 918] Statement of Solidarity For Tian Chua and Against Political Repression in Malaysia

[GABRIELA]

>Date: Tue, 24 Nov 1998 19:46:11 +0800
>From: BAYAN <bayan at iname.com>
>
>Statement of Solidarity
>For Tian Chua and Against Political 
>Repression in Malaysia
>
>
>	We, the Filipino delegates to the Asia Pacific Peoples' Assembly (APPA),
>strongly condemn the recent arrest and detention of Mr. Tian Chua by
>Malaysian police after a protest action held last November 21 at Kampung
>Baru, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  
>
>	We met and got to know Mr. Tian Chua as a member of the APPA secretariat
>and one of the leaders of the Coalition for People's Democracy(CPD),
>SUARAM and the Labor Resource Center (LRC).
> 
>	Mr. Tian Chua's arrest and the violent dispersal of protest actions
>manifest the Malaysian government's total disregard of the people's
>democratic right to peaceful assembly and free expression.  The events last
>Saturday also reveal that Prime Minister Mahathir's iron fist rule can no
>longer suppress the growing movement for democracy and social reforms in
>Malaysia.
>
>	There is no credibility in the statement of Malaysian Information
Minister Mohamed Rahmat that foreign elements are behind the protest
movement.  The continuing mass demonstrations provide clear evidence of
widespread
>discontent over the economic crisis brought about by neo-liberal policies
>packaged as globalization.
>
>	From November 7-15, we were witness to the Malaysian peoples' outright
>rejection of Prime Minister Mahathir's strongman rule.  Together with 636
>participants representing 316  organizations in 30 countries, we assailed
>the continuing onslaught of imperialist globalization  on the rights and
>livelihood of the peoples, as implemented by subservient third world
>governments.
>
>	Policies of foreign exchange and capital controls being carried out by
the Mahathir regime, while giving it a semblance of independence from IMF-WB
>dictates, is not reversing the fundamental neo-liberal policies of
>liberalization, deregulation, and privatization in the rest of the
>Malaysian economy.  This is why the economic crisis in Malaysia continues.
>
>	The working peoples of the developed and developing countries suffer the
>brunt of the economic crisis in the name of globlization and our rights are
>continuously being suppressed in the name of "peace and order"  and
>"harmony".  
>
>	We unite with the oppressed and exploited peoples of the world in the
>struggle against the common attack on our lives and the assault against our
>rights by foreign monopoly capitalists , local ruling elites, and
>reactionary governments.
>
>	In the spirit of solidarity, we join our Malaysian brothers and sisters
in demanding for:
>
>	1. The immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Tian Chua;
>	2. Respect for the right to free expression and peaceful assembly and a
>stop to political repression in Malaysia;
>	3. An investigation of increasing police brutality in Malaysia;
>	4. Freedom for all political prisoners in Malaysia;
>	5. The repeal of Malaysia's Internal Security Act (ISA);
>	6. Respect for the right to due process and a fair trial.
>
>SIGNED:
>
>	BAYAN(New Patriotic Alliance) : Dr. Carol  Araullo
>	     				     Rita  Baua
>	KMP(Peasant Movement in the Philippines) : Rafael Mariano
>						         Lualhati Baylosis
>	KMK(National Movement of Women Workers): Nenita Miranda
>	GABRIELA (National Alliance of Women's Organization):  Elisa Tita Lubi
>	GABRIELA-Youth : Maricel Gavina
>	AMIHAN (National Movement of Peasant Women):  Teresita Oliveros
>							     Catarina Estavillo
>	PAMALAKAYA(National Federation of Fisherfolk) : Rudy Sambajon
> 							       Cesar Arellano
>	KARAPATAN(Alliance for the Advancement of People's Rights) : 
		Benjie Oliveros, Jr.
>	MIGRANTE-International : Imelda Laguindam
>				    Joshue Loyola
>	LFS (League of Filipino Students) : Aaron Ceradoy
>                                                                            
>Note:	Today, November 25, BAYAN and its member organizations will be
>holding a protest picket in front of the Malaysian Embassy.  The
>signatory Philippine delegates to APPA will be attending said mass action.  
>					
>
>	 ---------------------------------------------------------
>	 B A Y A N
>	 Bagong Alyansang Makabayan or New Patriotic Alliance
>	 No. 23 Maamo Street, Sikatuna Village
>	 Quezon City, PHILIPPINES							      	
>	 Telephone: (63-2) 435-9151       Telefax: (63-2) 922-5211
>	 Email:   <bayan at iname.com>
>	 Bayan webpage URL:                          
>	 http://www.bigfoot.com/~bayan-phils 	      	
>	 -----------------------------------------------------------
>