FAC News - Wednesday, August 7, 2002 2:36 PM

MEDIA RELEASE BY MOHAMAD EZAM MOHD NOR

FULFILLING MY MORAL OBLIGATION TO THE PEOPLE AND THE NATION

My family and I would, first of all, like to state for the record our utmost gratitude to my solicitors, Yang Mulia Raja Aziz Addruse and Zainur Zakaria, on the invaluable assistance rendered to me and their gracious gesture in representing me in my case. They came forward to volunteer their services purely in the spirit of upholding the truth and in the defence of justice. In the almost two years of the duration of this case, they profusely refused any remuneration or fees for their services and insisted on working pro bono though the time they spent on my case could have been productively used in some other income generating work. We have witnessed their performance in court, how they impressively argued their case with the utmost professionalism, in particular stressing that the charge against me goes against the very principle of this nation’s Constitution.

Today’s verdict had been anticipated and comes as no surprise considering that Malaysian courts no longer have the liberty to rule based on justice due to the oppressive nature of the Official Secrets Act. The said Act clearly protects the corrupt and the transgressors who are no other than those who had formulated these laws primarily aimed at protecting themselves from being prosecuted for their evil deeds.

In my ten-page submission to the court awhile ago, I have spelt out in great detail the failure of the powers-that-be in upholding its responsibility, in particular in ensuring that justice is delivered and restitution is dispensed to the guilty, including those in positions of power.

Though my sentence is indeed a heavy burden for my family and me to carry, we are determined to face it with our heads held up high and our dignity intact. This conviction does not in the least erode my faith and commitment to fulfill my moral obligation to the people and the nation.

On the contrary, this episode of my trial, in fact, strengthens my conviction that this country is in dire need of Reformation, and that I need to continue with the struggle and sacrifice to build a society and a Malaysian nation centered on justice, religious faith and noble humanitarian values.

This autocratic government of Dr Mahathir Mohamad has violated the basic principles and rights guaranteed under the Malaysian Constitution. Laws such as the Internal Security Act, the Official Secrets Act, the Sedition Act, the Printing Press and Publications Act, the Universities and University Colleges Act, the Police Act, and many other oppressive laws, deny the people the basic right of expression, peaceful assembly and association as enshrined in our nation’s Constitution.

These basic rights are allowed or disallowed on the whims and fancies of those in power. Even the right of the people to turn to the Courts for redress is thwarted and the independence of the court is subverted.

The integrity of a number of public institutions such as Parliament, the Judiciary, the civil service, police and the media have been undermined as all have had to submit to the whims of certain leaders. This has badly undermined the freedom of the people. Only a change towards a just, clean, efficient, and trustworthy administration can restore the integrity of the government and the confidence and trust of the people.

The people have become increasingly conscious of the defects in the government and the shortcomings of the country’s political leadership. Dissent is more and more openly expressed and, in response, the government attempts to frighten the people by acting against such dissent as what has happened to me today.

The concentration of power and wealth in the hands of a few leaders has resulted in such arrogance that they are capable of shamelessly doing anything to maintain their hold on power. The level of morality of the national leadership has deteriorated so alarmingly that the younger generation is disillusioned and can no longer respect these leaders.

I appeal to all those, in particular the young, who hunger and long for justice to continue to be resilient and strengthen the will and determination to struggle to free the people from the clutches of corrupt leaders who have abused their powers and hide behind oppressive laws such as the Official Secrets Act. Every provision in this Act and the many others which protect the wrongdoers must be amended immediately, or, better still, if these oppressive laws can be repealed and done away with entirely.

MOHAMAD EZAM MOHD NOR

7 AUGUST 2002

Sessions Court, Petaling Jaya

Ezam's full statement to the court