Press Statement
July 17, 2013
Malaysian Government and KDN continues harassment on Human Rights NGO KOMAS for screening of “No Fire Zone,the Killing Fields of Sri Lanka”
On July 16, 2013, late afternoon KOMAS Director Tan Jo Hann received a fax notice from the Kementerian Dalam Negeri (Home Ministry) Bahagian Kawalan dan Penapisan Filem dan Penguatkuasaan Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur requiring him to be present at their office to record his statement on the above mentioned issue.
Earlier on in the morning at 11:28 am, Tan had received a telephone call from Ms Akilah Binti Bakri who identified herself as an enforcement officer from the KDN informing him that they required his presence to record his statement at their office in Kuala Lumpur.
Tan asked if there was a written notice and Ms Akilah informed him that the telephone call was the first step to inform him. She then told Tan a written notice would follow and would be faxed to KOMAS office.
Tan asked why was it necessary for them to issue a notice to record his statement when he was actually present during the process when KDN and the Police arrested 3 staff members and KOMAS Director on the night of July 4th 2013 during the screening of the film in the KL & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH).
Tan then reminded her that he had then also identified himself as the KOMAS Director on that night of the arrest but he was not asked to have his statement recorded. Ms Akilah replied that they now see it necessary to record his statement.
The fax letter from the KDN states that Tan has to be present at their office at 9:30 am on July 18th 2013. After consulting KOMAS legal counsel, Tan has proposed another date which is July 22nd 2013 at 10am and KDN has agreed. Tan will be present there with KOMAS legal counsel Mr New Sin Yew.Tan being summoned to KDN to have his statement recorded is related to KOMAS’ screening of the film “No Fire Zone, the Killing Fields of Sri Lanka” that was raided by KDN, Police and Immigration department on 3rd July 2013. We would like to state on record that we find this notice to be present at the KDN office to record Tan’s statement about a film screening is highly unnecessary. It is disruptive to his work and seems more like a form of harassment when they had already recorded the statements of KOMAS staff and colleagues who were arrested and questioned for more than 3 hours on the night of July 4th. 2013. Tan also acted as the person to post bail for the 3 arrested KOMAS colleagues then.
This continued form of intimidation tactics to curb freedom of expression and speech is highly disappointing especially when these basic rights are in fact guaranteed in Article 10 of the Malaysian constitution, the most important and highly regarded document in the land!
Despite our objections to this form of unnecessary harassment by the KDN, Tan has nevertheless agreed to be present at the KDN office together with KOMAS legal counsel at 10am on July 22nd 2013.
Tan Jo Hann,
Director, PUSAT KOMAS SDN.BHD.