The Free Online Dictionary defines McCarthyism as:
Mc·Car·thy·ism
n.
1. The practice of publicizing accusations of political disloyalty or subversion with insufficient regard to evidence.
2. The use of unfair investigatory or accusatory methods in order to suppress opposition.
These and many of the same are now headlined in major Malaysia news media:
Rais: Communist ideology last resort of the 'desperate'
Information, Communication and Culture Minister Rais Yatim today hit out at what he called “desperate parties” who are making use of the communist ideology to drum up support for the rally they are planning on July 9.
“These are the acts of desperate people who planned the rally on July 9. They see this as an opportunity to stir up dissent and seize power,” bemoaned Rais (right).
Met in the Parliament lobby by reporters, the minister was asked to comment on the 30 PSM supporters being investigated by Penang police under section 122 of the Penal Code for “waging war against the King”.
“Spreading communism is against the law. It is evil and illegal,” he said.
He contends that the prohibition against communism is stamped in our laws and the spirit of the constitution, citing 1948 regulations and the Police Act 1967 which he believed enumerated such restrictions.
“As such, it is appropriate for us to take action, this is for the survival of the majority, not about the minority.”
He contends that the BN, which has obtained legitimacy by the majority vote, has the right to act against the troublemakers and it is proper that the police take action.
Rais suggested instead that those in the disgruntled minority not take part in what he called illegal demonstrations, but to use proper channels like Parliament and discourse to air their grievances.
“Use Parliment, use dialogue, you don't need to come in the thousands to Kuala Lumpur to demonstrate. This is rampasan kuasa sosial! (social overthrow),” he complained.
[More to follow]
“These are the acts of desperate people who planned the rally on July 9. They see this as an opportunity to stir up dissent and seize power,” bemoaned Rais (right).Met in the Parliament lobby by reporters, the minister was asked to comment on the 30 PSM supporters being investigated by Penang police under section 122 of the Penal Code for “waging war against the King”.
“Spreading communism is against the law. It is evil and illegal,” he said.
He contends that the prohibition against communism is stamped in our laws and the spirit of the constitution, citing 1948 regulations and the Police Act 1967 which he believed enumerated such restrictions.
“As such, it is appropriate for us to take action, this is for the survival of the majority, not about the minority.”
He contends that the BN, which has obtained legitimacy by the majority vote, has the right to act against the troublemakers and it is proper that the police take action.
Rais suggested instead that those in the disgruntled minority not take part in what he called illegal demonstrations, but to use proper channels like Parliament and discourse to air their grievances.
“Use Parliment, use dialogue, you don't need to come in the thousands to Kuala Lumpur to demonstrate. This is rampasan kuasa sosial! (social overthrow),” he complained.
[More to follow]
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PSM: ‘Communist’ bogeyman theory an excuse to use ISA
June 27, 2011
KUALA LUMPUR, June 27 — Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) has accused the government of falsely linking the party with attempting to revive communism, saying that it would be an excuse for the use of the Internal Security Act (ISA).
The police said yesterday they were probing attempts by Bersih activists for reviving communism, and are investigating 30 PSM members, including Sungai Siput MP Dr Michael Jayakumar, for “waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.”
Arutchelvan show a T-shirt with a picture of Rashid Maidin to reporters at a press conference on July 27, 2011. — Picture by Choo Choy May
“The desperate attempts by the police to bring back the ‘communist’ bogey from the Cold War is an attempt by Umno-BN to stay in power by frightening people and thus justifying the use of the ISA,” PSM secretary-general S. Arutchelvan told reporters today.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said yesterday that he could not rule out using the ISA on the July 9 Bersih rally, but maintained that other laws will be used for now.
Arutchelvan slammed the police for the arrests, saying that it was a prelude for mass arrests over the upcoming rally.
The activist explained that the 30 PSM members were originally arrested on Saturday in Penang on charges of taking part in an illegal assembly, sedition as well as printing seditious material under the Printing Press and Publications Act (PPPA).
“There was a commotion when those arrested said in their 112 statement that they would only speak in court. The police were angry and demanded those arrested give a second statement.
“After that they went to our truck and found some red T-shirts with pictures of Rashid Maidin... then the 30 were slapped with an additional charge, 122 of the Penal Code,” said Arutchelvan.
“We’ve been accused of waging war against the King because of having these T-shirts,” he added.
The law was used to prosecute militant terrorist group Al Ma’unah which was involved in an audacious arms heist at an army camp and a tense stand-off in the jungles of Perak in 2000.
Under section 122 of the Penal Code, “whoever collects or attempts to collect men, arms or ammunition, or otherwise prepares to wage war with the intention of either waging or being prepared to wage war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or any of the Rulers or the Yang di-Pertua Negeri or abets the waging or the preparation of such war, shall be punished with imprisonment for life or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 20 years, and shall also be liable to fine.”
The PSM secretary-general also pointed out that the event in Penang on Saturday — “Kempen Udahlah Bersaralah” — was not directly connected to Bersih.
“It has nothing to do with Bersih, although we support Bersih and had leaflets on the rally, our event had been planned a long time ago,” explained Arutchelvan.
It is understood that the Penang Bar Council will be representing the 30 PSM activists in court.
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Hidupkan fahaman komunis usaha rampas kuasa 27/06/2011 12:58pm
KUALA LUMPUR 27 Jun – Cubaan pembangkang untuk kembali menghidupkan fahaman dan amalan komunis di negara ini adalah perbuatan terancang bagi merampas kuasa secara haram dengan cara menghuru-harakan pemikiran rakyat.
Menurut Ahli Majlis Tertinggi UMNO, Datuk Seri Dr. Rais Yatim, adalah jelas pihak yang didakwa mempunyai kaitan dengan Gabungan Pilihan Raya Bersih dan Adil (Bersih) itu merasakan mereka tidak mempunyai jalan untuk memerintah lalu memilih merosakkan keamanan negara demi berkuasa.
Justeru beliau menggesa pihak berkuasa bertegas mengambil tindakan terhadap mana-mana pihak terlibat bagi memastikan kepentingan majoriti rakyat negara ini yang cintakan keamanan dapat dijaga.
“Nampaknya pihak yang terlibat dengan Bersih sudah tiada jalan lain dan mereka rasa inilah masanya utk menggoyang dan mengocak keamanan sedia ada untuk merampas kuasa.
“Namun setiap tindakan perlu berasaskan kepada perundangan negara dan sesiapa melanggarnya perlu diambil tindakan. Ini ketegasan kita dan kita tidak boleh mengambil sikap ‘mengampunkan’ sebelum sesuatu perkara berlaku demi kepentingan majoriti rakyat,” katanya kepada pemberita di lobi Parlimen di sini hari ini.
Semalam polis mengesan gerakan terancang pihak tertentu didakwa cuba menghidupkan semula fahaman komunis bagi tujuan menjatuhkan kerajaan melalui perhimpunan haram Gabungan Pilihan Raya Bersih dan Adil (Bersih) pada 9 Julai ini.
Menurut Timbalan Ketua Polis Pulau Pinang, Datuk Abdul Rahim Jaafar, maklumat itu diperoleh hasil siasatan terhadap 31 penyokong Bersih diketuai Ahli Parlimen Sungai Siput yang juga pemimpin Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM), Dr. Jeyakumar Devaraj yang ditahan kelmarin.
Rais dalam pada itu turut menyeru rakyat agar bangkit menentang usaha jahat tersebut yang jelas tidak sah dari sudut perundangan negara. - Utusan
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