Mahathir using the WTC tragedy to tighten his grip

by Tian Chua from Kamunting

The tumble of WTC building shocked the world. While I was denied the privilege of watching the scene on TV, I had tried to imagine the images of horror and tragedy. The fall of twin tower on Sept 11 also symbolized the collapse of public confidence in the security on the USA. Indeed citizens throughout the world are dismayed. The terrorist group – who ever done it –demonstrated its power to threaten the security of any individual, in any corner of earth. That was the point the terrorist intended to express – neither the issue of Palestine, nor Islamic crusade, nor anti imperialism, nor anti globalization, nor any causes of human concern – but plain terror, terror par excellence, an expression of power to inflict maximum pain and fear.

The fear unleashed by the terrorist attack, however, should be transformed into a maximum hysteria. The global community must console the psychical and psychological wounds of the American people. At the same time, the world must caution of U.S government not to reply violence with violence. The escalation of violence does not enhance global security. The U.S government has to respond to the provocation with great prudence, especially careful not to alienate the larger Islamic and third world nations. The action to arrest the responsible culprits must avoid any innocent casualty. In the shirt term, terrorist group must be carefully investigated and correctly identified. Those that threatening world peace should be promptly dealt with by utilizing the existing international mechanisms.

In the long run, the causes of terrorism must be addressed. Most importantly global injustices have to be addressed. Only with the elimination of oppression and exploitation, the world security can be assured.

The democratic societies of the world should also be mindful not to lose their humanistic values in the hysteric fear of terrorism. Civil liberties should never be compromised in the name of national security. Anti terrorism sentiment could be expedient to many authoritarian regimes around the world. By allying with the global campaign against terrorism, these regimes seek support from the Western nations to tighten their repressive rule. The West will lose the prospect of lasting global peace if they unwillingly legitimize authoritarianism in the process of combating international terrorism.

Dr. Mahathir is one of the dictators who have cunningly seized the chance to justify his suppression of his politic critics. He claimed that the ISA is in fact an instrument to prevent terrorism. In April this year, he ordered the arrest of 10 activist of Reformasi movement including me. He accused us for planing an armed insurgency and subsequently 6 of us were sentenced to two years imprisonment without trial. 2 month later, he arrested 12 supporters of P.A.S. they too were accused to have belonged to an armed subversive group known as KMM.

The Malaysian public is unlikely to be convinced. The ISA allowed the government to arrest and detain anybody suspected of anti government without a formal trial. This is our main objection. If the government has concert evidence that we, the Reformasi activists as well as the so-called KMM indeed involved in terrorist violence, we should be brought to an open court. We challenge the government to produce the proof in court.

Riding on the public emotion against terrorism, the Dr. Mahathir government intends to confuse the danger of international terrorists with legitimate political opposition. Before the WTC attack, the authority claimed that terrorist elements had infiltrated all levels of society – schools, universities, government departments, civil services, mosques, religious institutions, etc. the government even accused the so called KMM members were trained by Taliban in Afghanistan. It is said that KMM extensive international networks in Indonesia, Philippines, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Dr. Mahathir gave the world an impression that terrorists are dangerously active in Malaysia. With the international links, they are a serious threat to South East Asian region or even world stability. If that is so, Dr. Mahathir should not keep us and the so called KMM behind the tall fence of Kamunting Detention Camp. He should be completely transparent with our subservient activities.  The public have the right to know what is the real danger they are facing? In the view of the recent tragedy in New York and Washington, the world has the right to know too.

If these ISA detainees truly involved in violent activities such as bank robbery, murder, bombing, kidnapping, hijacking in Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines, their threat certainly go beyond our national boundary. If all these were true, Dr.Mahathir should have share these info with other Asian governments as well as the USA. After all, Dr. Mahathir was amongst the first to pledge support for an US – led global alliance against terrorism. Well, why doesn’t Dr. Mahathir start with inviting some foreign experts to come here to investigate our terrorists activities.

On the other hand, if Dr. Mahathir refuses to present concrete evidence to the international community, he might be perceived as “harboring terrorists” and risks facing international sanction. However, Malaysians themselves hardly take Mahathir's allegation of terrorism seriously. Deep in our heart, we all know these scare tactics are nothing but a poor excuse to crackdown the opposition.

Dr. Mahathir’s black propaganda has a very negative impact on our international image. His fabrication of political instability posed by fancy armed terrorists might even convince foreign investors and tourists to avoid Malaysia. In the current gloomy global atmosphere, these lies will further sunken our economic downturn.

In short, Malaysia cannot avoid a genuine democracy reforms. The continuous power manipulation by Dr. Mahathir is dragging the country into greater disaster. For Malaysia, the ultimate solution to any form of extremism, is to establish democratic institutions and the respect for human values.