Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) is a non-profit organisation that aspires for a society that is democratic, just and free, where all peoples will enjoy free media and the freedom to express, seek and impart information. CIJ is seeking a dependable person who can coordinate the websites pilihanraya.info and cijmalaysia.org full-time for 6 months.

The primary tasks of the Website Coordinator are as follows:

a) Writing relevant content for respective websites, and other creative content
b) Liaise with relevant volunteers, project partners, writers etc for relevant information to be uploaded
c) Promote websites and content through social media platforms and production of merchandise.
d) Update content more intensively during the 13th General Elections
e) Manage content archives

Applicants must be fluent in written Bahasa Malaysia and English, a team-player, is able to work independently under strict deadlines, and must possess own computer and internet connection. Interested applicants, please send cover letter and CV (including expected salary) to:cijmalaysia (a) gmail.com

Closing date for application: Feb 27, 2012

Media Release (11 February 2012)

Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) is concerned for the safety of Saudi newspaper columnist Hamza Kashgari, currently under detention by Malaysian police at the request of Saudi Arabian authorities for tweets which allegedly insulted Islam and Prophet Muhammad.

Kashgari, arrested at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on 9 February 2012, is being detained at an undisclosed location. Since his arrest, he has not been allowed access to lawyers appointed by his family to represent him.

Local and international human rights groups are concerned that if deported to Saudi Arabia, he would be likely charged with apostasy and face a possible death sentence. Kashgari fled Saudi Arabia after his tweets about the Prophet, for which he has apologised and since removed, drew and invited calls for his execution on social media platforms and death threats from vigilantes.

Kashgari’s lawyers on their tweet postings indicated that calls for his execution could be politically motivated because of his blog postings in support of fellow activists in Syria and public support for the Arab Spring protests.

We therefore call upon the authorities to clarify the legal grounds for Kashgari’s arrest. They must allow him to meet with his lawyers while he remains under detention. He should be released if there is no legal basis to arrest or extradite him.

Mr Kashgari’s right to express his opinion must be respected and protected, more so in light of Prime Minister Najib Razak’s recent launch of the Global Movement of the Moderates in Kuala Lumpur, which stresses “the need for critical engagement that corresponds to the universal principles of justice, excellence and equilibrium”. At the very least, the Malaysian authorities have an obligation to ensure Mr Kashgari’s safety.

The Centre for Independent Journalism, Malaysia (CIJ) is a non-profit organisation that aspires for a society that is democratic, just and free, where all peoples will enjoy free media and the freedom to express, seek and impart information.

Film Screenings & Discussions

Presented by Sisters in Islam
& Centre for Independent Journalism

Mon 5 – Sun 11 Dec, 2011
The Annexe Gallery

A long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, there was a planet where the apes have risen up to demand their rights. But somewhere on that planet is a space called Malaysia where the humans are treated like aliens and the aliens treated even worse. In this space, no one can hear you scream. For one week in December, by watching amazing movies and having mindshifting discussions with jedis of human rights, we shall find out how to turn these outer spaces — news room, schools, wall street, polling booth, court, conscience — into human-friendly spaces. Let’s boldly go where no human rights have gone before.

ADMISSION FREE!

Entry by registration: Please email  cijspace (a) gmail.com with heading “Outer Space”. Give your name, how many you are bringing, and title of film(s).

* * *
Mon 5 Dec, 2011, 8pm
Outer Space 1: News Room

NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH
USA, 2008

In this film, a journalist exposes the unjustified basis for her government’s act of war against another country. Her report outs a covert intelligence operative, which is a breach of national security. Will she reveal her source or risk going to jail? Sounds familiar? It’s not quite Malaysia, but we have an Official Secrets Act, which classifies most public-interest information as official secrets, and journalists are intimidated from reporting truth to power. What are the rights of journalists, their sources and the people? What is at stake when those rights are lost?

Timmy Armstrong: “You’re not supposed to tattle.”

Rachel Armstrong: “You’re not supposed to have to put up with bullies, either.”

Panelists:

Shaila Koshy (senior print journalist)

Chen Shaua Fui (online journalist)

Pauline Leong (journalism lecturer)

* * *
Tue 6 Dec, 2011, 8pm
Outer Space 2: School

GIE
Indonesia, 2005

Gie was an Indonesian history student turned political revolutionary in the 60s. He despaired at his country, fought for justice, fell in love, witnessed a massacre, lost friends and fell out of love. Based on the real-life journal of Soe Hok Gie, played by the beautiful Nicholas Saputra, this film examines the role of the young in challenging a dictatorial regime. In Malaysia, there are rumours of the dismantling of the Universities & University Colleges Act. Will Malaysian students be allowed to be national heroes again?
Soe Hok Gie: “The history of the world is one of oppression. The question is, can there be history without oppression or without sadness and betrayal? It’s like, when studying history, the only thing we find is betrayal. It is there, in each and every part of our life, and yet we can do nothing about it.”

Panelists:

Nicol Paul Miranda (student activist)

Sharaad Kuttan (radio journalist, lecturer)

Hilman Idham (student activist, UKM4)

* * *

Wed 7 Dec, 2011, 8pm
Outer Space 3: Wall Street

INSIDE JOB
USA, 2010

Who were the key players responsible for the 2008 global financial crisis? This Oscar-winning documentary is a damning revelation of how the financial sector takes the world hostage, destroysmillions of lives and gets rewarded for it. Implicating everyone from businessmen to politicians to economic academics, this is a portrait of a rogue industry without a conscience. As the Occupy Wall Street movement is happening now, we must ask: what else can the 99 percent of the population, even here in Malaysia, do beside feeling angry and helpless?

Andrew Sheng: “Why should a financial engineer be paid four times to 100 times more than a real engineer? A real engineer build bridges. A financial engineer build dreams. And, you know, when those dreams turn out to be nightmares, other people pay for it.”

Panelists

Charles Santiago (MP for Klang, DAP)

Boon Kia Meng (educator, activist)

Wan Saiful Wan Jan (Chief executive, IDEAS)

* * *
Thu 8 Dec 2011, 8pm
Outer Space 4: Polling Booth

OUR BRAND IS CRISIS
Bolivia, 2005

Beginning with an uprising that overthrew a Bolivian president, this documentary flashes back a year ago to show us how he got into power: with the help of the US political consultants that got Bill Clinton into power. The team even arranged many focus group surveys so the presidential candidate can hear what the people wants. But is he hearing them? Or is this another way to manipulate their wants? Malaysians have gone to the streets over our electoral process, but perhaps we should also pay attention to the problematic nature of electoral campaigns.

Consultant: “We don’t have to change the way people perceive the country and the economy. What we have to change is what is at stake in the elections.”

Panelists:

Hisham Rais (writer, election consultant)

Tricia Yeoh (economic & policy research adviser)

Ray Langenbach (performance artist, academician)

* * *
Fri 9 Dec 2011, 8pm
Outer Space 5: Court

THE STONING OF SORAYA M
USA/Iran, 2008

In an Iranian village, a husband looking for an easy way to get rid of his wife accuses her of adultery. The burden is upon her to prove her innocence. If she cannot, the sentence is death by stoning. Based on a true story account, the film depicts the stoning in a most horrifying sequence and confronts us with the the guilt of watching and doing nothing about it. When the rights of the innocent are not protected, on whose hands are their blood?

Ebrahim: “When a man accuses his wife, she must prove her innocence. That is the law. On the other hand, if a wife accuses her husband, she must prove his guilt. Do you understand?”
Zahra: “Yes, it’s clear, all women are guilty, and all men are innocent. Correct.”

Panelists:

Shanon Shah (journalist, SIS associate member)

Nizam Bashir (lawyer)

Nisha (Mak Nyah Programme, PT Foundation)

* * *
Sun 11 Dec 2011, 3pm
Inner Space: Conscience

THE LIVES OF OTHERS
Germany, 2006

Winner of 64 international awards, this powerful psychological thriller shows us what it was like in East Germany before the fall of the Berlin wall. In the film, circumstances are forcing both the patriotic playwright who is under surveillance and the Stassi officer spying on him to find their inner conscience. But can their conscience still guide them when it is being controlled? Is the goal of limiting our human rights in the external spaces ultimately an attempt to limit us in the inner space of our minds? How do we resist the control?

Georg Dreyman: “The state office for statistics on Hans-Beimler street counts everything; knows everything: how many pairs of shoes I buy a year: 2.3, how many books I read a year: 3.2 and how many students graduate with perfect marks: 6,347. But there’s one statistic that isn’t collected there, perhaps because such numbers cause even paper-pushers pain: and that is the suicide rate.”

Panelists:

Alfian Sa’at (playwright-activist)

Anne James (actor-activist)

Yin Shao Loong (political analyst)

Kee Thuan Chye (actor, playwright, writer)
Enquiries: cijspace (a) gmail.com; 03-4023 0772

131 Academics and Researchers in Solidarity with Professor Abdul Aziz Bari

Oct 24, 2011

We, the undersigned Malaysian academics and researchers, as well as colleagues from other countries researching on Malaysia, wish to record our serious concern and objection to the recent actions taken against Professor Abdul Aziz Bari of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).

Prof Aziz Bari is currently being investigated by the police under the Sedition Act 1948 and by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for a statement in an online news portal involving the Sultan of Selangor. He has since been suspended by his employer, IIUM.

According to a Bernama report on Oct 21, 2011, the Rector of IIUM Prof Zaleha Kamaruddin has stated that: “The university does not restrict any academic staff from giving statements but they must not be against the interests of the university.” We are extremely perturbed by this statement as Prof Aziz Bari’s comment was related to his interpretation of the Malaysian Constitution, his area of expertise. He has not done anything to compromise or undermine the interests or integrity of IIUM.

As academics and researchers, we view the action taken by IIUM as a gross violation of Prof Aziz Bari’s academic freedom as well as his right to free expression. As an academic, Prof Aziz Bari has the responsibility to use his expertise to enlighten the public on matters related to his field of interest and scholarship. In fact, Malaysia needs more scholars like him to give their expert views without fear or favour on issues of national concern.

Prof Aziz Bari’s suggestion that a Ruler has acted beyond his Constitutional bounds is a legitimate one. There is no evidence that he has acted, overtly or by implication, to incite hatred against the Ruler. Our reading of the Sedition Act 1948 is that it validates any criticism of a Ruler if such criticism is intended to constructively show that the Ruler has erred.

The hallmark of any institution of higher learning is the celebration and promotion of intellectual freedom, autonomy and responsibility by its faculty and student body. The credibility of a university is undermined if its management does not value intellectual freedom of expression through the pursuit of open discussions, debates and dissenting opinions in a scholarly and civil environment.

The investigations on Prof Aziz Bari by the government and IIUM’s decision to suspend him signal the further suppression of academic freedom in Malaysia, which has in fact long been curtailed by the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971.

To ensure a swift resolution of the selective persecution of Prof Aziz Bari and to undo the damage to IIUM’s reputation, we urge the responsible authorities to undertake the following remedial actions:

1. The IIUM to lift Prof Aziz Bari’s suspension immediately;

2. The police to cease all investigations against Prof Aziz Bari under the Sedition Act 1948; and

3. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to cease all investigations against Prof Aziz Bari under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

In addition we call on the authorities to fully respect academic rights and freedom through the following measures:

1. The Sedition Act 1948 which has unacceptable potential for abuse against fundamental freedoms of expression to be repealed.

2. The Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 to be repealed and replaced by a University Charter that upholds academic freedom and campus democracy.

Signed by:

Individuals

1. Dr Abdul Hamid Mat Sain
2. Prof. Abdul Rahman Embong
3. Dr Ahmad Farouk Musa
4. Joseph Algaraj
5. Assoc. Prof. Andrew Aeria
6. Ang Hean Leng
7. Dr Patricia Ang
8. Dr. Awang Azman Awang Pawi
9. Assoc. Prof Azizan Bahari
10. Dr Azly Rahman
11. Assoc. Prof. Azman Azwan Azmawati
12. Assoc. Prof. Azmi Sharom
13. Dr Azmil M. Tayeb
14. Dr. Chooi Beh
15. Boon Kia Meng
16. Dr Chan Chee Khoon
17. Chang Teck Peng
18. Dr Chee Heng Leng
19. Prof. Chin Kenpa
20. Chong Wu Ling
21. Dr Chong Fah Hing
22. Dr. Christopher Chong
23. Dr Chong Kok Boon
24. Chou Wen Loong
25. Chung Lee Peng
26. Dr Faisal Syam Abdol Hazis
27. Dr Faizal Ali
28. Dr Farish Ahmad Noor
29. Prof. Fatimah Mohamed Arshad
30. Assoc. Prof. Sharmani Patricia Gabriel
31. Dr Oommen George
32. Assoc. Prof. Goh Beng Lan
33. Prof. Alberto Gomes
34. Prof. Edmund Terence Gomez
35. Prof. Andrew Harding
36. Dr Hew Wai Weng
37. Dr Denison Jayasooria
38. Dr Jeniri Amir
39. Dr K.J. John
40. Prof. Andrew Kenyon
41. Emeritus Prof. Clive Kessler
42. Dr Khoo Gaik Cheng
43. Eddin Khoo
44. Koh Ea Boon
45. Lai Wan Teng
46. Dr Joanne Lim
47. Dr Lee Hock Guan
48. Dr Lee Hwok Aun
49. Dr Julian C.H. Lee
50. Leong Kar Yen
51. Leong May San
52. Pauline Leong
53. Assoc. Prof. Lim Hong Hai
54. Assoc. Prof. Lim Khay Thiong
55. Prof. Lim Teck Ghee
56. Prof. Francis K.W. Loh
57. Greg Lopez
58. Dr Mahyuddin Ahmad
59. Maimuna Merican
60. Dr Sumit K. Mandal
61. Dahlia Martin
62. Dr Maznah Mohamad
63. Prof Dr Mohammad Yusoff Ismail
64. Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin
65. Assoc. Prof. Mohd Nordin Mohd Abdullah
66. Dr Joel Moore
67. Dr Muhammad Hamdi b Mahmood
68. Dr Musa Nordin
69. Assoc. Prof. Mustafa K. Anuar
70. Dr Yaso Nadarajah
71. Rose Nanju
72. Assoc. Prof. Helen Nesadurai
73. Dr Cecilia Ng
74. Dr Nor Hayati Sa’at
75. Dr Nor’azim Mohd Yunos
76. Dr Noraida Endut
77. Noor’ain Aini
78. Assoc. Prof. Norani Othman
79. Ng Boon Hooi
80. Dr Ngoi Guat Peng
81. Dr Nur Afifa Abdullah
82. Dr Ong Kian Ming
83. Dr Ooi Kee Beng
84. Prof. Pan Kok Long
85. Jeffrey Phang
86. Prof. Maude Phipps
87. Dr Phua Kai Lit
88. Prof. Rosli Omar
89. Dr Subramaniam Pillay
90. Por Heong Hong
91. Dr Mavis Puthucheary
92. Dr Arnold Puyok
93. Dr Rabaah Bt Tudin
94. Prof. Raja Amin Raja Mokhtar
95. Prof. Rashidah Shuib
96. Assoc. Prof. Rashila Ramli
97. Assoc. Prof. Rusli Ahmad
98. Dr Rohaya Mohd Nor
99. Dr Rohana Abdul Jalil
100. Dr Marina Roseman
101. Assoc. Prof. Rosli H Mahat
102. Dr Rusaslina Idrus
103. Dr Johan Saravanamuttu
104. Saw Teck Chee
105. Assoc. Prof. Shakila Abdul Manan
106. Assoc. Prof. Edmund Sim
107. Darshan Singh
108. Dr Hari Singh
109. Assoc. Prof. Siti Hawa Ali
110. Dr Soon Chuan Yean
111. Prof. Tan Sooi Beng
112. Tan Lee Ooi
113. Dr Taufiq Abdullah
114. Prof. Tham Siew Yean
115. Assoc. Prof. Tee Kim Tong
116. Dr Helen Ting
117. Dr Ting Su Hie
118. Dr Toh Kin Woon
119. Dr Adam Tyson
120. Prof. Wan Abdul Manan Wan Muda
121. Prof. Wan Zawawi Ibrahim
122. Wang Lay Kim
123. Assoc. Prof. Bridget Welsh
124. Dr Amanda Whiting
125. Dr Diana Wong
126. Dr Wong Chin Huat
127. Wong Chip Choo
128. Dr Yeoh Seng Guan
129. Yong Kiat
130. Assoc. Prof. Young Suan
131. Assoc. Prof. Zaharom Nain

Organisations

1. UM Academic Staff Union (PKAUM)

The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) is alarmed to hear that the police are investigating Malaysiakini and Prof Dr Abdul Aziz Bari over the news website’s report of the academic’s statement which raised issues in the Selangor Sultan’s recent decree regarding the controversial JAIS raid of the Damansara Utama Methodist Church.

As an academic well-known for his research and interest in Constitutional matters, Prof Aziz would naturally be expected to comment on this issue and has done it in accordance with his professional obligations as well as exercised it as is his right.

Similarly, as a media organisation, Malaysiakini was only doing its job of reporting alternative perspectives to the story, such as that represented by Prof Aziz’s statement.

Apart from the police investigation, CIJ is at a loss as to understand why the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is investigating both Prof Aziz and Malaysiakini. If they’re being investigated under the Sedition Act, as per the original police report by Senator Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor, the law should not prohibit questioning of actions of any royalty member. Surely, critiques against the monarchy’s exercise of their powers under the Constitution cannot by a long shot be defined as being disrespectful of Malaysia’s constitutional monarchy nor be seen as treason (derhaka).

CIJ deplores the continued unthinking and reactionary demonisation of dissenting voices that continue to blight Malaysia’s democracy, which is worse still taken seriously by the police.

The media and any critical citizen must be allowed to speak their mind on issues of public interest, especially in checking the powers of any institution, without being subjected to harassment from the authorities.
Issued by Chuah Siew Eng, CIJ programme officer

The Centre for Independent Journalism, Malaysia (CIJ) is a non-profit organisation that aspires for a society that is democratic, just and free, where all peoples will enjoy free media and the freedom to express, seek and impart information.

Title: Forum: Freedom of Information – Penang’s experience
Location: Caring Society Complex, Penang
Description: Speakers:
1. Y.B. Ng Wei Aik (State Assemblyman and political secretary to Penang Chief Minister)
2. Prof Abu Bakar Munir (Professor of law, former Dean of the Faculty of Law, Universiti Malaya)
3. Ong Boon Keong (Activist and Coordinator of SOS Penang & MEO-Net)
4. Rowena Yam (Chief of Political Training Bureau, Gerakan)

Moderator: Himanshu Bhatt (Northern Region Bureau Chief of The Sun Daily)

Jointly organised with Pertubuhan Wartawan dan Jurugambar Akhbar Cina Pulau Pinang (PEWAJU), Coalition for Good Governance Penang (CGGP), SUARAM (Penang) and Sembang-sembang Forum.
Start Time: 20:00
Date: 20111029
End Time: 22:00

Title: Talk on nationalism, ethnicity and conflict
Location: Monash University Sunway Campus, Selangor
Description: CIJ will be talking about media coverage of the Shah Alam cow head protest in front of the Selangor state government headquarters on 28 Aug 2010. We’ll also explore the issue itself by using as a basis of discussion the 2010 Freedom Film Fest documentary winner “Kisah Tauke Mancis dan Minyak Tumpah” by Sheridan Mahavera and Siti Nurbaiyah Nadzmi.
Start Time: 11:00
Date: 2011-10-03
End Time: 13:00

Title: Monash NGO Fair
Location: Monash University Sunway Campus, Selangor
Start Time: 10:00
Date: 2011-10-04
End Time: 15:30

Media release (28 Sept 2011)

Right to Know Day, which falls on 28 September annually, is an occasion to promote access to information as a basic human right, as spelt out in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

This right has practical, democratic applications, too. A Right to Information (RTI) legislation is one of the necessary checks and balances to keep government clean and accountable to the rakyat. It also levels the playing field for businesses, abolishing the culture of cronyism and nepotism.

Access to information is one of the basic building blocks of a democracy. It allows citizens to keep tabs of government dealings and decisions so that they can check that public interest is being served, as well as make good decisions themselves about their own lives.

This right is most crucial during elections, the crunch time for citizens to hold their representatives accountable for their actions in office and elect the best candidates who can best represent them. This means the media, a platform through which candidates’ credentials and manifestos can be shared, debated and exchanged, must be accessible to all parties and free from political manipulation.

Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) urges Prime Minister Najib Razak to introduce an RTI legislation at the federal level to replace the Official Secrets Act as the next step in his democratisation promise as announced in his eve of Malaysia Day speech. It is time to replace the culture of secrecy at the Federal level with a culture of openness to ensure RTI enactments in Selangor and (soon) Penang can play a positive role for residents of these two states, as well as to cater to growing public demands for transparency and accountability at all levels of governance.
Issued by Masjaliza Hamzah, CIJ executive officer

The Centre for Independent Journalism, Malaysia (CIJ) is a non-profit organisation that aspires for a society that is democratic, just and free, where all peoples will enjoy free media and the freedom to express, seek and impart information.

23 September 2011

Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) is shocked to learn that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has issued a directive to broadcasters not to air a video promoting voting for the upcoming general election. MCMC’s ‘ban’ of the Undilah project’s public service announcement urging the rakyat to vote is absurd and against the spirit of democracy.

Media reports on 23 Sept 2011, quoting unnamed sources, said the MCMC letter to broadcast giants Media Prima and Astro cited two reasons behind the ‘ban’: BN MP Tengku Razaleigh’s admission that Malaysia was facing problems and the appearance of Opposition politicians.

Apart from Pakatan Rakyat’s Nurul Izzah Anwar, Tony Pua, Khalid Samad and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, the hip promo also featured two deputy ministers, celebrities such as Daphne Iking, and famous Malaysians Tony Fernandes and Lee Chong Wei rapping to a tune led by Namewee and Afdlin Shauki.

The ‘ban’ came just days after Prime Minister Najib Razak, in his Malaysia Day message, announced a set of reforms affecting civil liberties, and promised Malaysia was on the path towards being the world’s best parliamentary democracy.

This latest case of censorship highlights the powers given to the MCMC to police broadcast and online content under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA), which governs the multimedia and communications industry.

Given the politically-motivated nature of this directive from MCMC, CIJ wishes to highlight a few ironies in the composition and function of this “independent” commission which is under the direction of the Information, Communications and Culture Minister:

• under Section 71 and 72 of the CMA, reports of investigations are given to the Minister who may direct the Commission to publish what it deems to be of national interest;
• under Section 6 of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission Act 1998 (MCMCA), MCMC membership is appointed by the Minister (one chairperson, three from the government, and two to five other members);
• under Section 12(1) of the MCMCA, the Minister may revoke the appointment of any member without giving any reason.

CIJ urges the MCMC to immediately rescind the directive. In addition, the MCMC must make public the findings of the inquiry which resulted in the directive being issued to Astro and Media Prima. Public service announcements urging voters to honour the electoral process by going out to vote is a matter of national interest which should be given due respect by the MCMC and the Information, Communications and Culture Minister. We also urge the PM to include amendments to the CMA and MCMCA as part of the “transformation” of Malaysia.

Issued by Masjaliza Hamzah, CIJ executive director

The Centre for Independent Journalism, Malaysia (CIJ) is a non-profit organisation that aspires for a society that is democratic, just and free, where all peoples will enjoy free media and the freedom to express, seek and impart information.