PRESS STATEMENT
July 22, 2013

KOMAS Director records statement in KDN Film Censorship Unit about
Sri Lanka Documentary “No Fire Zone”

This morning at about 10:30 am KOMAS Director Tan Jo Hann who was served notice by the KDN (Home Ministry) Film Censorship Control & Enforcement Division presented himself together with KOMAS legal counsel New Sin Yew and KOMAS staff with other NGO representatives at the premises to record his statement.

The session was video taped and conducted by enforcement officers Ms Akilah binti Bakri and Mr Royston. Mr Tan Jo Hann was with legal counsel Mr New Sin Yew. The session lasted about 2 hours with the officers asking questions which were responded to by Mr Tan.

It was very noticeable that the trend of questioning in the beginning was focused on the set up, structure and objectives of PUSAT KOMAS rather than the film screening which was the main topic of their investigation.

Mr Tan and his lawyer then insisted that the line of questioning should be focused on the topic at hand which was on the film screening event which was raided by 30 enforcement officers and police on the night of July 3rd 2013. That said incident ended up with the KDN officers and police arresting 3 KOMAS staff members and Director and Mr Tan Jo Hann stood bail for them then.

It was also revealed to us by the Director of the division before the interrogation session that there was intention to extend the bail period for another month after its expiry on August 5th. KOMAS is of the notion that this is highly unnecessary and obviously a harassment of the civil society members and basic human rights of the 3 arrested namely Ms Anna Har, Mr Arul Prakkash and Ms Lena Hendry.

We strongly urge and recommend the Attorney General Chambers to immediately drop the case against them and cease all investigations into the incident as well as PUSAT KOMAS. We feel that there is no basis for such over reactions of the authorities on a peaceful and educational event of the film screening of the documentary feature “No Fire Zone”.

Instead the Home Ministry’s Film Censorship Control & Enforcement Division and whoever “higher-ups” pulling the strings on this case and “witch hunting” for persons to blame should focus more on more pressing matters & urgent matters in our country today. One such urgent issue is to intensify their operations on the continued and unhealthy practices of illegal pornographic VCDs being sold in many night markets (pasar malam), shopping centers, and commercial areas often very accessible to school children.

We find that this form of harassment tactics employed to intimidate civil society organizations and social bodies are uncalled for and highly disrespectful of the basic rights accorded to all Malaysian under Article 10 of the Malaysian constitution which ensures the right to freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of association.

We also denounce and condemn certain mainstream or online media that has labeled the 3 arrested and PUSAT KOMAS of being terrorist supporters. We intend to file legal proceedings against these publications unless they make written public apologies and give written assurances that this sort of wild allegations would not be repeated.

By:
Tan Jo Hann, Director,
PUSAT KOMAS Sdn. Bhd.July 22, 2013