We, the undersigned civil society
organisations and individuals, register our gravest concern and strongest
objection to a series of crackdowns on intellectuals from September 25 to
October 3.
These include the arrest of Turkish writer
Mustafa Akyol, the harassment and persecution of Akyol’s host, Dr Farouk Musa
of Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF) and the banning of 22 books, including
discursive writings by Akyol, Farouk Musa, scholar Faisal Tehrani (Dr. Mohd
Faizal Musa) and cleric Ustaz Wan Ji Wan Hussin.
“Religious teaching without tauliah [proper
accreditation]” (Section 11 of Act 559 in this case) is a Syariah offense
normally reserved for errant preachers in mosques and surau.
Actions by the Federal Territories Islamic
Religious Affairs Department (JAWI) against Akyol for allegedly committing such
an offence prior to an aborted forum in Nottingham University Malaysia, and
against Dr. Farouk Musa for allegedly abetting Akyol, set a dangerous precedent
with far-reaching implications for academic freedom and, certainly, freedom of
speech in Malaysia.
Are intellectual discourses in universities
involving Islam now being regulated by State Islamic Religious Departments? Do
universities need to get clearance from the religious departments before
inviting any speakers on any topics related to Islam? As Islam is being applied
in almost every sector in Malaysian society, are the religious bureaucrats now
the de-facto thought police for the nation to decide what thoughts we can and
cannot have?
We also view the recent banning of books by
Akyol, Farouk Musa, Faisal Tehrani and Ustaz Wan Ji under Section 7 of the
Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA) as a further attempt at mind
control. Section 7 permits the banning of publications that are or are likely
to be “prejudicial to public order, morality, security,” “to alarm public
opinion,” or “prejudicial to public interest or national interest”.
We ask, how did Home Minister, Ahmad Zahid
Hamidi, find “Islam Without Extremes: A Muslim Case for Liberty” and its Malay
translation “Islam Tanpa Keekstreman: Berhujah Untuk Kebebasan” by Mustafa
Akyol, the two volumes of “Wacana Pemikiran Reformis” edited by Dr. Farouk
Musa, “Aku_maka aku ada” (I _ therefore I am) by Faisal Tehrani and “Ulamak
yang bukan pewaris Nabi” (Those clergy who are not the Prophet’s successors) by
Ustaz Wanji, to be harmful to public order, morality, security, public opinion,
public interest or national interest? Are ideas like moderation, reform and
liberty now enemies of the state?
The crackdowns on intellectuals during these two
weeks is not an isolated development but a serious and dangerous escalation in
a long and on-going process of thought policing to close the minds of
Malaysians, especially Muslims. If we do not speak up for Akyol, Farouk,
Faisal, Wan Ji and others whom the state want silenced, soon there will be no
one left to speak up for us when we are silenced.
We call upon all Malaysians to firmly demand
the Federal Government and all other relevant state parties:
(a) To
end all harassments, investigations and charges on Dr. Farouk Musa, IRF and
their past and future intellectual guests;
(b) To
lift the ban of the abovementioned books as well as other books that promote
intellectual discourses and moderation;
(c) To
abolish the Printing Presses and Publications Act and to replace it with a
human-rights-compliant publication law;
(d) To
uphold Freedom of Expression, as enshrined in Article 10(1)(a) of the Federal
Constitution and to end all thought policing on academics and academia;
Endorsed by :
Organisations
1. Aliran
2. Amateur
3. Angkatan Skuad Mubaligh
4. Angkatan Warga Aman Malaysia (WargaAMAN)
5. Article 19
6. Baramkini
7. BEBAS
8. Buku Jalanan Kajang
9. Buku Jalanan Seremban
10. Buku Jalanan UIA
11. Buku Jalanan Rembau
12. Buku Jalanan Shah Alam
13. Centre for Independent Journalism
14. Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections
(BERSIH 2.0)
15. ENGAGE
16. Federation of Malaysian Indian
Organisation (PRIMA)
17. G25
18. Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm)
19. Himpunan Hijau
20. Institute for Leadership and Development
Studies (LEAD)
21. Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (JERIT)
22. Jawantankuasa bertindak kuala lumpur tak
nak insinerator (KTI)
23. Johor Yellow Flame (JYF)
24. Kairos Dialogue Network
25. Kedai Buku Mak Ali
26. Kelab Bangsar Utama (KBU)
27. Kelas Pencerahan
28. Kolektif Ketepi
29. KuBu (Kuliah Buku) UIA
30. Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly
Hall (KLSCAH)
31. Lingkaran Islam Traditional (LIT)
32. LLG Cultural Development Centre (LLG)
33. Malaysia Design Archive
34. Malaysian Indians Progressive Association
(MIPAS)
35. Malaysian Indians Transformation Action
Team (MITRA)
36. Malaysian Youth Care Association
(PRIHATIN)
37. Malaysia Youth & Student Democratic
Movement (DEMA)
38. Malaysians Against Death Penalty and
Torture (MADPET)
39. Merdeka University Bhd
40. Monash University Malaysia Staff
Association (MUMASA)
41. Monitoring Sustainability of Globalisation
(MSN)
42. National Human Rights Society (HAKAM)
43. Oriental Heart's and Mind Study Institute
(OHMSI)
44. Pergerakan Tenaga Akademik Malaysia
(GERAK)
45. Persatuan Alumni PBTUSM Selangor & KL
46. Persatuan Kakitangan Akademik Universiti
Malaya (PKAUM)
47. Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusia (PROHAM)
48. Persatuan Rapat Malaysia (RAPAT)
49. Projek Dialog
50. Pusat KOMAS
51. Research For Social Advancement (REFSA)
52. Sabah Women's Action Resource Group (SAWO)
53. Sahabat Rakyat
54. Save Rivers
55. Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia (SABM)
56. Sisters in Islam (SIS)
57. Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)
58. Tenaganita
59. Teoh Beng Hock Trust for Democracy
60. Teori Timur
61. Tindak Malaysia
62. Universiti Terbuka Anak Muda
63. Writers Alliance for Media Independence
(WAMI)
Individuals
(Please note that the following institutional
affiliations are for identification purposes only and do not imply endorsement
by the institutions)
1. Prof. Emeritus Datuk Dr. Abdul Rahman Embong, National University of
Malaysia
2. Prof. Emeritus Datuk Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi, University of Malaya
3. Prof. Edmund Terence Gomez, University of Malaya
4. Distinguished Prof. Chong Kok Boon, Chongqing Education Commision
5. Prof. Ismail Mohd.
6. Prof. Khoo Boo Teik, The National Graduate Institute for Policy
Studies, Tokyo
7. Prof. Living Lee Chai Peng, University of Malaya
8. Prof. Sharmani Patricia Gabriel, University of Malaya
9. Prof. Syed Farid Alatas, National University of Singapore
10. Prof. Wan Abdul Manan Wan Muda, Gerak Exco
11. Prof. Zaharom Nain, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus
12. Assoc. Prof. Azmi Sharom, University of Malaya
13. Assoc. Prof Faisal S. Hazis, National University of Malaysia
14. Assoc. Prof. Dr Helen Ting, National University of Malaysia
15. Assoc. Prof. Isham Pawan Ahmad, International Islamic University
16. Assoc. Prof. Khoo Gaik Cheng, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus
17. Assoc. Prof. Lee Hwok Aun, ISEAS
18. Assoc. Prof. Rosli Mahat, Formerly University of Malaya
19. Assoc. Prof. Sumit Mandal, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus
20. Assoc. Prof. Uma Devi Palanisamy, Monash University Malaysia
21. Asst. Prof. Leong Kar Yen, Tamkang University, Taiwan
22. Asst. Prof. Fadzilah Din, International Islamic University Malaysia
23. Dr. Andrew Aeria, Aliran
24. Dr. Ang Sze Wei, University of Hong Kong
25. Dr. Ariffin S M Omar, Senator
26. Dr. Azmil Tayeb, Aliran
27. Dr. Cecilia Ng, formerly Universiti Putra Malaysia
28. Dr. Chan Chee Khoon, Formerly University of Science Malaysia
29. Dr. Chandra Muzaffar, Yayasan 1Malaysia
30. Dr. Charis Quay Huei Li, Université Paris-Sud.
31. Dr. Christopher Chong Eu Choong, Aliran
32. Dr. Fiona Lee, University of Sydney
33. Dr. Francis Loh Kok Wah, Aliran
34. Dr. Hew Wai Weng
35. Dr. Irma Ismail
36. Dr. Johan Ariffin Samad
37. Dr. Johan Saravanamuttu, Adjunct Fellow, NTU
38. Dr. Julian Hopkins, Monash University Malaysia
39. Dr. Khairil Izamin Ahmad, International Islamic University Malaysia
40. Dr. KJ John, OHMSI
41. Dr. Lai Suat Yan, Gerak
42. Dr. Lim Chee Han, Penang Institute
43. Dr. Lim Teck Ghee, Formerly University of Malaya
44. Dr. Lyana Khairuddin, University of Oxford
45. Dr. Mary Cardosa, Consultant, Hospital Selayang
46. Dr. Maszlee Malik, International Islamic University Malaysia
47. Dr. Maznah Mohamad, National University of Singapore
48. Dr. Mahyuddin Ahmad, University of Science Malaysia
49. Dr. Muhammad Adli Musa, International Islamic University
50. Dr. Muhammad Irwan Ariffin, International Islamic University
51. Dr. Mustafa K Anuar, Penang Institute
52. Dr. Ngo Sheau Shi, University of Science Malaysia
53. Dr. Ngu Ik Tien, University of Malaya
54. Dr. Ong Kian Ming, Penang Institute
55. Dr. Ong Kok Chung
56. Dr. Patricia Martinez, formerly University of Malaya
57. Dr. Phoon Wing Keong, Vice President, Malaysian Chinese Research Centre
58. Dr. Por Heong Hong, University of Malaya
59. Dr. Prema Devaraj, President of Aliran
60. Dr. Ramy Bulan, University of Malaya
61. Dr. Show Ying Xin, Amateur
62. Dr. Simon Soon
63. Dr. Sivin Kit, Director of Centre for Religion and Society
64. Dr. Tan Beng Hui, Independent researcher
65. Dr. Toh Kin Woon, Penang Institute
66. Dr. Wong Chin Huat, Penang Institute
67. Dr. Wu Yu Ping, National University of Singapore
68. Dr. Yeoh Seng Guan, Monash University Malaysia
69. Tan Sri Mohd Sheriff Mohd Kassim, Former KSU of Ministry of Finance.
70. Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam, Former Sec-Gen of the Malaysian Ministry of
Transport
71. Dato' Seri Mohd Hishamuddin Yunus, Former Court of Appeal Judge
72. Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir
73. Dato' Ambiga Sreenevasan, President of HAKAM
74. Dato’ Azzat Kamaludin, Advocate and Solicitor
75. Dato’ Dennis Ignatius, Former High Commissioner to Canada
76. Dato’ KJ Abraham, OHMSI Advisor
77. Dato’ Mohd Ariff Yusof, Former Appeals Court Judge
78. Dato' Noor Farida Ariffin, G25 and former ambassador to the Netherlands
79. Dato' Redzuan Kushairi, Former Ambassador to Uzbekistan and Member of
the Royal Council State of Perak
80. Dato’ Saifuddin Abdullah, Youth Academy
81. Dato’ Syed Ahmad Aidid, Former high court judge and member of G25
82. Ahmad Fuad Rahmat, Projek Dialog
83. Altaf Deviyati, Lingkaran Islam Tradisional (LIT)
84. Altaf Ismail, IMAN
85. Alwyn Goh, Senior Staff Researcher
86. Amin Ahmad, LEAD
87. Andrew Khoo
88. Anil Netto, Aliran
89. Azmyl Yunor, Sunway University
90. Azrul Mohd Kalib, BEBAS
91. Beverly Joeman, Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia
92. Carole Chung, Concerned Citizen
93. Chan Yit Fei, Teoh Beng Hock Trust for Democracy
94. Chang Teck Peng, Former lecturer at New Era College
95. Chong Ton Sin, SIRD
96. Chua Kim Boon, President of Selangor State Dongzong
97. Dina Zaman, Writer
98. Ehsan Shahwahid, Islamic Renaissance Front
99. Eugene Yapp, Executive Director, Kairos Dialogue Network
100. Faridah Stephens
101. George John, Independent Investor
102. Gopal Sundaram, Former Assistant Governor, Bank Negara Malaysia
103. Henry Loh, Aliran
104. Ho Yock Lin, Immediate Past President of All Women's Action Society
(AWAM)
105. Ismail Hashim, Universiti Selangor
106. Ivy Josiah, Former SUHAKAM Commissioner
107. Jahabar Sadiq, Editor
108. Jannie Lasimbang, Former SUHAKAM Commissioner
109. Jasmine Ng, OHMSI Advisor
110. Josh Hong, Writer
111. Kassim Muhamad, PAKSI
112. Kee Thuan Chye, Writer
113. Liau Kok Fah, Chairperson of Civil Rights Committee of KLSCAH
114. Lim Hong Siang, Writer
115. Maria Chin Abdullah, Chairperson of Bersih 2.0
116. Masjaliza Hamzah, Human rights advocate
117. Muhammad Afiq Bin Mohamad Noor, Lingkaran Islam Tradisional
118. Nathaniel Tan, Writer
119. Ng Yap Hwa, Executive Director of Teoh Beng Hock Trust for Democracy
120. Nidhal Mujahid, Penang Institute
121. Ong Kok Hin, Penang Institute
122. Ong Lai Mun, ENGAGE
123. Rama Ramanathan, ENGAGE
124. Ramli Abdul Samad
125. Ratna Osman, Sisters in Islam
126. Rozana Isa, Sisters in Islam
127. Seah Hong Yee, ENGAGE
128. Sivarajan Arumugam
129. Susan Loone, Journalist
130. Tang Ah Chai, Chief Secretary of KLSCAH
131. Tan Kong Beng, OHMSI Advisor
132. Tan Yew Sing, Former President of KLSCAH
133. Tarmizi Anuwar, Kelas Pencerahan
134. Terence Fernandez, Media Specialist
135. Thomas Fann, Chairman of ENGAGE
136. V. Gayathry, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus
137. Vince Tan Hoo She, Youth Progressives of Malaysia
138. Wang Lay Kim, University of Science Malaysia
139. Xifu Abdul Naser Tun Abdul Rahman Ya’kub, Angkatan Skuad Mubaligh
140. Yalini Easvaralingam, Independent researcher
141. Yee I-Iann, Artist
142. Yeong Pey Jung, Penang Institute
143. Yong Yew Wei, Vice President of KLSCAH
144. Zairil Khir Johari, Penang Institute
145. Zakiah Koya, Journalist
146. Zamri Vinod, Presiden Angkatan Skuad Mubaligh Msia
147. Zurairi AR, Journalist
Chronology
of Intellectual Crackdown Since September 25
September 25
● A forum organized by Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF) at Nottingham
University Malaysia titled “The Islamic Jesus” featuring Turkish writer Mustafa
Akyol was cancelled under the pressure of Federal Territory Islamic Religious
Department (JAWI)
● The arrest of Mustafa Akyol in KLIA before his departure and subsequent
detention for 17 hours for “religious teaching without tauliah (proper
accreditation)” under Section 11 of the Shariah Criminal Offences (Federal
Territories) Act 1997.
September 28
● The gazette banning of the 21 Books in one day (decision by Home
Minister on September 6) which include Mustafa Akyol’s books, “Islam Without
Extremes: A Muslim Case For Liberty” and its Malay translation “Islam Tanpa
Keekstreman: Berhujah Untuk Kebebasan”
● “Wacana Pemikiran Reformis” (Jilid I & Jilid II) edited by Dr
Farouk Musa, Executive Director of IRF
● “Aku __ maka Aku ada” by Faisal Tehrani (Dr Mohd Faizal Musa),
researcher at UKM
● “Ulama yang bukan Pewaris Nabi” by Ustaz Wan Ji Wan Hussin, clergy-politician
October 2
● IRF Chairman Dr Farouk Musa is charged for abetting Mustafa Akyol to
give “religious teaching without tauliah (proper accreditation)” under Section
43 Act 559 of Shariah Offences (Federal Territories) Act 1997.
October 3
·
Sapuman: Man of Steal by political
cartoonist Zunar is banned
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