2016 – Page 3 – Global Bersih

Aspirations For A Better Malaysia

22nd August 2016 Nalina Nair

by Charlotte Chin, Marburg, Germany You might be wondering why a German woman is interested in the political situation in Malaysia. The answer is simple: My dad is Malaysian Chinese and my mum is German. I went to Malaysia to volunteer in an orphanage, and I got to know strangers who became good friends and are still an important part of my life. They introduced me to their cultures and religions, gave me home and shelter, and showed me the infinite beauty of life. Malaysia became home to me,…

Near or Far, Malaysians at Heart

1st August 20161st August 2016 Nalina Nair

By Nalina Nair Many of us who live in Malaysia have the impression that Malaysians who chose to leave the country have no interest in our dear homeland. That these are the ones who have abandoned all hopes for a better Malaysia, who do not believe that we will ever achieve a Malaysian Malaysia. Many of us back home may hold this view due to the constant calls by individuals in the government for dissenting voices to leave the country and find a new home. While this may ring true…

Bersih 2.0 Press Statement: Resign Or Face the Rakyat

22nd July 201622nd July 2016 Nalina Nair

Bersih 2.0 Press Statement: Resign Or Face the Rakyat BERSIH 2.0 congratulates the US Office of the Attorney General brave statement on “United States Seeks to Recover More Than $1 Billion Obtained from Corruption Involving Malaysian Sovereign Wealth Fund”. The conclusion of their findings are extremely damning and they have stated exactly what civil society and many Malaysians have been saying about the grand scale kleptocracy that is happening in our country. The actions of the US Department of Justice (US DOJ) are not alone as there are six other…

Global Bersih condemns the government’s crackdown on Lim Guan Eng

4th July 201612th July 2016 Nalina Nair

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng was arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on the evening of 28 June 2016. He faces two charges, i.e. Section 23 of the MACC Act and Section 165 of the Penal code. The first charge carries a jail term of not more than 20 years and a fine of five times the value of gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher. Lim is accused of using his public office or position to obtain gratification for himself by approving an application by Magnificent Emblem…

We Are The Leaders We Are Waiting For

10th June 2016 Nalina Nair

By Mohan Ambikaipaker In the aftermath of the history-breaking Bersih 4 rally for democracyin Malaysia, there is a natural question that comes up: What now? Furthermore, deep inside us, sceptical thoughts may arise and peoplemay start to wonder what exactly will be the concrete outcomes: Will therallies lead to a no confidence vote on Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razakin October? Will the rallies free Anwar Ibrahim and other politicalprisoners? Will the rallies save the ringgit from plunging further? Although these are interesting and important questions, I believe theyare secondary issues…

Ireland: UN experts raise alarm over growing number of homeless people in Cork with no access to water

9th June 2016 Nalina Nair

Ireland: UN experts raise alarm over growing number of homeless people in Cork with no access to water GENEVA (6 June 2016) – Two United Nations experts on the human rights to water and sanitation and adequate housing today expressed concern over the increasing number of homeless people in the city of Cork, Ireland, and their lack of access to water and sanitation. Over 700 people are homeless in the city of approximately 120,000 inhabitants. “Widespread homelessness is evidence of the failure of the State to protect and ensure the…

“Economy should serve the people, not vice versa” – UN expert says after assessing EU adjustment policies

9th June 2016 Nalina Nair

“Economy should serve the people, not vice versa” – UN expert says after assessing EU adjustment policies BRUSSELS / GENEVA (3 June 2016) – Recent austerity policies are hitting the most vulnerable and are undermining economic, social and labour rights within the European Union, today said United Nations Independent Expert Juan Pablo Bohoslavsky at the end of his fact-finding visit* to EU institutions in Brussels. “I am concerned about a policy shift undermining the previously balanced approach of ensuring economic stability, equality and social cohesion, in favour of a disproportionate…

Journalists’ killings: UN experts urge Philippines president-elect to stop instigating deadly violence

9th June 2016 Nalina Nair

Journalists’ killings: UN experts urge Philippines president-elect to stop instigating deadly violence GENEVA (6 June 2016) – Two United Nations independent experts on summary executions, and on freedom of expression today urged Philippines president-elect Rodrigo Duterte to stop instigating deadly violence immediately. The experts strongly condemned Mr. Duterte’s recent statements suggesting that journalists are not exempt for assassination. Speaking at a press conference, Mr. Duterte reportedly stated that most journalists killed in the country have done something wrong. ‘You won’t be killed if you don’t do anything wrong,’ the President-elect…