Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08KUALALUMPUR825
2008-09-18 23:38:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Cable title:
ANOTHER OPPOSITION BLOGGER DETAINED, BUT NOT UNDER
how-toVZCZCXRO6291 PP RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH DE RUEHKL #0825 2622338 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 182338Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1674 INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 2626 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 0474 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY
UNCLAS KUALA LUMPUR 000825
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
FOR EAP/MTS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KPAO MY
SUBJECT: ANOTHER OPPOSITION BLOGGER DETAINED, BUT NOT UNDER
THE ISA
REF: KUALA LUMPUR 806
UNCLAS KUALA LUMPUR 000825
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
FOR EAP/MTS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KPAO MY
SUBJECT: ANOTHER OPPOSITION BLOGGER DETAINED, BUT NOT UNDER
THE ISA
REF: KUALA LUMPUR 806
1. (U) Another opposition internet blogger, Syed Azidi Syed
Aziz, was detained on September 17 under the Sedition Act for
encouraging other Malaysians to fly the national flag
upside-down during national day celebrations. Aziz first
made his comments on August 3, stating that this action would
signify his nation's political and economic distress, and the
people's frustration. He is the second blogger to be charged
under the Sedition Act, the first being Raja Petra Kamaruddin
(reftel) in May 2008. Raja Petra is now being held under the
Internal Security Act (ISA),which provides for detention
without trial. On September 18, police obtained a 48-hour
remand as they investigate. If found guilty, Syed faces up
to three years in prison and a $1,500 fine.
2. (U) Public reaction to the arrest of Syed Azidi, who is
not a well-known national figure, was mixed. All major
dailies carried the story, but unlike last week's ISA
detentions they did not highlight criticism of the arrest.
Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi described the act of
encouraging people to fly the national flag upside-down as
"evil". The vice-president of the opposition Malaysian
Islamic Party (PAS),Husam Musa, condemned the arrest, saying
that this would worsen the current political climate.
3. (SBU) Comment: The timing of the arrest is questionable,
given that Syed posted his comments on August 3. Although
not as ominous as last week's ISA detentions, Syed's arrest
sends another clear warning to the on-line community that the
government of PM Abdullah seeks to rein in critical internet
commentary, and will use heavy-handed legal tools to do so.
KEITH
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
FOR EAP/MTS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KPAO MY
SUBJECT: ANOTHER OPPOSITION BLOGGER DETAINED, BUT NOT UNDER
THE ISA
REF: KUALA LUMPUR 806
1. (U) Another opposition internet blogger, Syed Azidi Syed
Aziz, was detained on September 17 under the Sedition Act for
encouraging other Malaysians to fly the national flag
upside-down during national day celebrations. Aziz first
made his comments on August 3, stating that this action would
signify his nation's political and economic distress, and the
people's frustration. He is the second blogger to be charged
under the Sedition Act, the first being Raja Petra Kamaruddin
(reftel) in May 2008. Raja Petra is now being held under the
Internal Security Act (ISA),which provides for detention
without trial. On September 18, police obtained a 48-hour
remand as they investigate. If found guilty, Syed faces up
to three years in prison and a $1,500 fine.
2. (U) Public reaction to the arrest of Syed Azidi, who is
not a well-known national figure, was mixed. All major
dailies carried the story, but unlike last week's ISA
detentions they did not highlight criticism of the arrest.
Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi described the act of
encouraging people to fly the national flag upside-down as
"evil". The vice-president of the opposition Malaysian
Islamic Party (PAS),Husam Musa, condemned the arrest, saying
that this would worsen the current political climate.
3. (SBU) Comment: The timing of the arrest is questionable,
given that Syed posted his comments on August 3. Although
not as ominous as last week's ISA detentions, Syed's arrest
sends another clear warning to the on-line community that the
government of PM Abdullah seeks to rein in critical internet
commentary, and will use heavy-handed legal tools to do so.
KEITH