May 11, 2012
Bar Council: Hanif Omar unsuitable to head BERSIH3.0 Panel
by G.Vinod@http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com
The Bar Council said former Inspector General of Police Hanif Omar is not suitable to head the independent panel to probe the violence that took place during the BERSIH 3.0 rally.
Speaking at a press conference after chairing the Bar Council’s extraordinary general meeting (EGM) today, its president Lim Chee Wee said Hanif had disqualified himself by taking a stand against Bersih 3.0 earlier.
“It’s unfortunate that the former IGP had referred to some of the protesters as communists,” he added. On April 28, tens of thousands marched in the nation’s capital but the rally was marred with reports of police assaulting scores of protesters and journalists.
Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein announced the formation of the six-member panel on
Wednesday with Hanif heading the investigation team. However, Hanif had reportedly told the media earlier that some of the demonstrators were communists as he claimed to recognise their faces.
Meanwhile, Lim said he was disappointed when Hanif had alleged that the rally was aimed at overthrowing the government.
“In my view, panel member Steve Sim (former Sabah and Sarawak Chief Justice) is more qualified to head the panel,” he added. Lim also expressed doubt if the panel could probe the assaults during the BERSIH rally effectively, saying that it lacked the legal framework for this task.
“It doesn’t have the power to call witnesses or ask for documents as opposed to a Royal Commission or a Suhakam Inquiry,” he pointed out.
Of the 1,270 Bar members who attended today’s EGM, 939 voted in favour of today’s resolution to oppose the police brutality against the Bersih demonstrators, while 16 voted against.The rest either left the venue before the event ended or did not take part in the vote.
Better for Hanif Omar to recuse himself.
The Bar Council can collect and collate all the evidence and send them to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) in Geneva. The matter can be discussed at UNGA.–Din Merican
Something is seriously wrong when someone like a previous PIG can declare himself a neutral after making adverse comments on the Bersih demonstrators. Might as well declare Ambiga to be neutral as well.
Geneva? Where the deer and antelope play? Nah, the UMNO goons are so inured to embarrassment and focused on maintaining power, that they’d be oblivious to any international censure.
We have to fight this battle in the court of public opinion and hammer the message into the amoured skulls of the ‘Tempurung-ed’ species.
This ex-IGP has an impervious hide that even badak-badak would admire. But I think the keris wielding cousin HM, would be more amenable to direct persuasion – if he sees the absolute folly of their ways. A threat of 4.0 might work. But on the other hand, that might give them a cause to shut down the whole country under ‘Emergency’. Bah – as if we were Syrians!
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CLF,
You could be right about the aftermath of a BERSIH4.0. These Goonies are looking for the pretext to declare emergency rule. The Prime Minister has invested billions in terms of giveaways which he must recoup and so he must win GE-13 at cost. If he cannot hold elections because of continuing civil society action for electoral reform (it looks like its status quo in the Elections Commission), he can declare emergency rule ala NOC (National Operations Council)to consolidate his political position.But the basis for such an action should be solid and convincing. –Din Merican
ps. What’s happening to Frank and Semper Fi?
I used to have lots of respect for Tun Hanif. As a young kid in lower secondary school, my picture of him was with an Uzi machine gun standing behind a car below the AIA Building looking up probably at the Japanese Red Army terrorists occupying the Japanese embassy with hostages…. then he took the KFC shares and the chairmanship of Genting on his retirement from the force… that was the end of my respect… and now his latest comments! I guess people who could work this long with Tun Mahathir must be growing old like him too…. irresponsible and talking nonsense and still wanting more….
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It was Gandhi who said there is enough for everyone’s needs, not for someone’s greed.–Din Merican
I’m speechless with all these tricks and treachery, resuscitation of old war horse as head of a panel to investigate police brutality who himself is misguided and reviving the Communist bogey man. What else is there to say about Malaysia, the BN government have pulled every trick in the books and even using Fatwas to stop Muslims from joining Bersih. May Allah have mercy on them.
They did read it Adam, and it was a peaceful rally. Big crowds but they wanted to have their peaceful say. We know what Bersih wanted. Now we want to knw what the Police officers were asked to do . Transparency about it. Were theya sked to protect the epople and allow them their say peacefully or were they asked to do somethign else?
Pls explain what threat was it in your mind . What threat. These are malaysians we are talking off , wanting fair election process. So whats the threat. C’mon tell me?
Encik Adam, you missed one crucial point though – yes what you say may be right….about Mutuality : No Obligation without Right, but in the same breath no Right without Obligation or responsibilty.
The point here is about suitability or non-suitability of Panelists/Members in this vital ” Findings ” to be made. The Court will be the ultimate venue as to who was the real cause, that led a supposed Peacefull demonstration/Peacefull Assembly, which turned Ugly, or wild & unruly ? (this is a pending matter in court,b’coz charges are being brought against the few – in that respect i would also opine that the Findings by this Panel be pp pending that )
Independent Panel Members ? Everyone knew the late Justice Eusoffe Abdul Kadir, how passionate he was, Government wanted to ammend & insert ” Ouster Clauses” in most of the Statutes. like for Eg; Socities Act, Immigration Act & few others, to the effect, that there should NOT be allowed Appeals to the Court, decisions ” Final” by the Respective Ministers. This Hon’ Judge Disallowed these Ouster Clauses, ruling that they are Unconstitutional !
Any wonder then, why his late Father was knighted by the UK Govt, Sir Abdul Cader…..
Makchik, what utter rubbish are you talking about. Hanif is the worst choice, him being as corrupt and biased as his old exboss Mahatir. Please have some sense of level playing field. One must only be independent but must be seen to be independent.
Hold any number of post mortems with whoever you like that heads them but absolutely nothing positive will come of them that will benefit the nation or make us any wiser.
Lots and lots of public funds will be put to no good use… instead if these funds are used to give scholarships to a few deserving students we shall have put the money to good use.
There will continue to be gatherings, rallies…. all at the wrong places … followed by clashes of all sorts… and so the stupid cycle in our country will go on.
There ARE simple ways of minimising confrontation but nobody seems to be interested.
Yup…nobody seems interested, too much at stake for everyone…some even ” lontar batu sembunyi tangan “…that includes the self-egoistic political leaders ho attended the rally…such were the situation.. a race divided and exploited…may God bless us all !!….
In Malaysia the ruling party can use taxpayer money to fund their political campaign?? Tell me that is not true.