NINE QUESTIONS FOR SARAWAK REPORT: CURRENT / AT THE 16TH INTERNATIONAL ANTI-CORRUPTION CONFERENCE 2015 IN PUTRAJAYA

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CM's ANTI-GRAFT STANCE GETS GLOBAL SPOTLIGHT
REPORTED BY THE BORNEO POST
Transparency International (TI) invites Adenan to be a master plenary speaker at IACC

PUTRAJAYA, September 3, 2015–

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem’s commitment in fighting corruption and illegal logging has prompted Transparency International (TI) to invite him as one of the master plenary speakers at the 16th International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC).

IACC is currently being held at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC).

It was declared opened yesterday by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Paul Low on behalf of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Adenan will be speaking at the master plenary II on Peace, Equality and Social Justice: Fighting corruption in development and investment beyond 2015.

The session will be held at 2pm today. It will be moderated by the Washington correspondent for the New York Times and chairman of the Board of Cooperation USA, Ron Dixon.

Co-founder and director of Global Witness, United Kingdom, Patrick Alley is expected to be one of the panel speakers at the same plenary. In March 2013, Global Witness produced a video entitled `Inside Malaysia’s shadow state’ – an undercover investigative piece on Sarawak timber logging and wealth.

Other speakers include Natural Resources Governance Institute president Daniel Kaufmann, World Vision International Canada president and CEO Kevin J. Jenkins, TI founder and Chair Advisory Council Dr Peter Eigan and Thomson Reuters Foundation of United Kingdom CEO Monique Villa.

Talking to The Borneo Post, Deputy Chief Commissioner (Prevention) of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Datuk Mustafar Ali said Adenan was invited “because he has been known to have tackled environment issues in Sarawak, including the prevention of illegal logging and creating awareness.

“We have prepared this session since our meeting with TI in Berlin early this year. On knowing that we shall be having this session, TI in Berlin immediately asked whether we can invite him (Adenan).

“I went to Sarawak to invite him, and he said OK,” said Mustafar, adding that Adenan would have a side dialogue with Global Witness. Adenan, he said, was the only chief minister to deliver a paper.

“We have Datuk Paul Low delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Wahid Omar, who will be closing the seminar.”

The three-day biennial conference is organised by Institute of Transparency International Berlin in collaboration with the Malaysian government and TI Malaysian Chapter. Some 1,000 people from more than 100 countries are taking part.

Meanwhile, in his keynote address, Low said Malaysia was not a failed state as painted by certain quarters.

He said at least five key economic indicators showed the reality of the country’s economic health.

Among the five indicators are: (1) the country achieved an average of Real GDP of 5.3 per cent per annum during the 10th Malaysia Plan (2011-2015), where global average growth was 3.6 per cent and emerging markets and developing economies were averaging 5 per cent; (2) low unemployment rate of only 2.9 per cent; and (3) fiscal deficit reduced from -6.4 per cent in 2009 to -3.4 per cent in 2014, and expected to be -3.2 per cent in 2015 in spite of the current unfavourable economic conditions.

Fourthly, incidence of poverty reduced from 49.3 per cent in 1970 to 3.8 per cent in 2009 and to 0.6 per cent in 2014. The existence of corruption usually affect the poor in many countries, but Malaysia has been able to mitigate and reduce the level of poverty to an enviable low level and achieve an equitable income distribution among its population so much so that the country was now having a vibrant middle-class society; and lastly, the country’s notable achievements: 20th most competitive nation out of 144 countries (World Economic Forum) and 6th place out of 189 countries for ease-of-doing-business (World Bank).

“Malaysia would not have achieved these results if its corruption were so bad as to be really damaging to its economic progress.

“Nonetheless, we do recognise that there is more to be done if we wish to move further ahead to attain a high-income economy that is competitive in the world markets,” said Low.

Under the National Key Results Area (NKRA) for corruption, the government had set its target of achieving a Transparency International CPI (Corruption Perception Index) score of 70 from the current 52 today in order to move up in rank among countries surveyed from the current placing of 50 to be at the top 30 by 2020.

“At this juncture, it is appropriate to recognize that today, in spite of the distressing picture that has been painted by certain quarters of a Malaysia doomed to be a failed state, things are certainly not as gloomy as they have been made out to be,”

Low reiterated. Low emphasised that any meaningful success in implementing the national integrity system (NIS) required the existence of strong institutions that were independent from the executive branch of the government, given adequate protection by the legislation, and having adequate resources to employ high caliber professional staff.

He said the country was committed to protect the sanctity and independence of its public institutions, and it was in the process of strengthening two entities: Malaysia Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC) and the office of the Auditor General.

As such, he promised to protect the MACC, which he likened as “the apple of my eye”.

“The apex of a high integrity society is the integrity of the political institution because this institution is represented by elected representatives and lawmakers in the country. It determined the executive of the government.

“Therefore, if the political institution lacks integrity, it loses its legitimacy among the people, and the quest to consolidate more power may lead to an extractive political institution that is only governed by those with narrow interest, with only a restricted space for others in the society to engage in national affairs.

“This is usually seen in an authoritarian regime.”

Low also asserted that the evil of money politics must be eradicated, be it at party elections or during general elections. “There must be a more regulated framework for political financing and expenditure. This is an area that the nation must deal with as an unhealthy relationship between politics and business will continue to form strong obstruction for reform towards a government that is more transparent and accountable.”

Meanwhile, Mustapha, who was representing MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed, said the 16th IACC was set on the backdrop of its theme 'Ending Impunity-People, Integrity and Action’ – a journey that aspired to establish, restore, plant, exercise, implement and execute the principles of integrity and governance.

“At the end of this journey, whilst it demands assertive enforcement and punitive actions against the perpetrators, we must aim to envision in cementing systems and procedures, creating and promoting cultures that prevent and detest all forms of corruption, abuse of power and malpractice through leadership by integrity, responsibility, accountability and transparency.”

Mustapha said MACC would not practise impunity in its investigation, and would act without fear or favour. For that, MACC officers were ready to sacrifice in upholding public interest. More than 1000 participants from more than 100 countries took part in the three-day seminar.

('CM's anti-graft stance gets global spotlight.' - The Borneo Post, September 3, 2015)

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RELATED: ADENAN BACKS PREDECESSOR AT ANTI-CORRUPTION CONFERENCE
REPORTED BY BERNAMA

PUTRAJAYA, September 3, 2015–

Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem has slammed Global Witness, a United Kingdom-based non-governmental organisation over an accusation that his predecessor, Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud was linked to corruption while in power.

Global Witness co-founder and director, Patrick Alley made the accusation against Abdul Taib during the plenary session entitled 'Peace, Equality and Social Justice: Fighting Corruption in Development and Investment Beyond 2015' held in conjunction with the 16th International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) 2015 here Thursday.

Among others, Alley alleged that Taib, currently Sarawak Governor had abused his power such as awarding some projects related to plantation and timber in Sarawak to his cronies which contributed to illegal logging.

In response to the recrimination, Adenan, who took over the Sarawak administration from Taib about 15 months ago, stressed it was unfair to accuse a person until he was proven guilty by law.

"By the way, when talking about the law, one of the rules of the law says a man is presumed innocent until proven guilty," he said.

Adenan said Taib had been investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

"The fact we know is that he has not been charged in court and not found guilty. If you want to accuse MACC of being biased, that is between you and them," he said.

To prove that the accusation was totally wrong, Adenan invited Alley to visit Sarawak and check out the plantation and timber sectors in the state.

"Why not you (Alley) just come over to Sarawak, we will show you about our forests, see whether your accusation is true, confirmed or not. Enough is enough.

"My forestry people will explain to you. If you are wrong, we will tell that you are wrong, if we are wrong, you tell us that we are wrong."

Adenan said he had promised to stop illegal logging in the state by next year and strengthen enforcement.

('Adenan Backs Predecessor at Anti-Corruption Conference.' - BERNAMA, September 3, 2015)

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RELATED: PUTRAJAYA NIGHTMARE FOR NAJIB, TAIB: 'IN ANY OTHER COUNTRY, THEY WOULD HAVE TO RESIGN'
REPORTED BY MALAYSIA CHRONICLE

LONDON (SARAWAK REPORT), September 3, 2015–

Couldn’t stand the heat – confirmed that Najib did not dare confront a critical international audience

Senior Malaysian officials were left defending their leaders against a host of critics at the second day of the Anti-Corruption Conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

It followed yesterday’s powerful speech by Transparency International’s Chief Executive Jose Ugaz, who stated that Malaysia was facing a “corruption crisis”and that Prime Minister Najib Razak should answer questions linked to 1MDB.

Today both Najib Razak and Sarawak’s Former Chief Minister and current Governor Taib Mahmud were under scrutiny during one of the NGO’s liveliest ever conferences, conducted against the backdrop of the 1MDB scandal.

In a response to online news-portal Malaysiakini today, Transparency International embarrassingly confirmed that Najib Razak had been warnedthat he could face tough questioning from participants and this was the reason he had withdrawn from the opening session.

“We did not cancel the prime minister’s invitation. We advised that if he were to come to the conference he would be asked hard questions – i.e. the ones in the speech yesterday.”

Najib’s former advisor and Transparency International co-founder Michael J. Hershman expressed his disappointment that simple questions remain unanswered by the Prime Minister.

Slamming the failure to answer key questions over 1MDB and payments to Najib Razak, Transparency International’s co-founder and a former anti-corruption advisor to Najib Razak and the Malaysian Government, Michael J. Hershman stated that his Malaysian host should expect to drop places in the TI Corruption Index due to the ongoing 1MDB scandal.

Hershman argued it should be easy for the Prime Minister and former client to answer simple questions that remain unanswered.

“My advice to the prime minister would be not to cover up, not to obstruct justice because it doesn’t work. Tell the truth about where did the money come from and address the accusation. If he did something wrong, then ask for forgiveness and face the consequences. The truth will come out and in my experience the sooner it comes out the better it is for the accused and for the country.

"If it [the US$681 million in Najib’s account] came from the Middle East, who did it come from? When did it come and for what purpose? These are very simple questions. There is no reason for a panel for investigations. Just tell the truth. Get it out in the public.

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[CURRENT / CLARE REWCASTLE BROWN'S INTERVIEW ON CHANNEL NEWSASIA REGARDING THE WARRANT FOR HER ARREST – "The Prime Minister has now finally had it announced through the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission that that was not anything to do with 1MDB money, which actually certainly I and I don’t know of any investigative reporters who said it was." - Clare Rewcastle Brown - Channel NewsAsia, August 5, 2015]

[RELATED: SENSATIONAL FINDINGS! PRIME MINISTER NAJIB RAZAK’S PERSONAL ACCOUNTS LINKED TO 1MDB MONEY TRAIL - MALAYSIA EXCLUSIVE - Sarawak Report, July 2, 2015]

[RELATED: CURRENT / CLARE REWCASTLE BROWN'S INTERVIEW ON CHANNEL NEWSASIA REGARDING THE WARRANT FOR HER ARREST – "[PM Najib Razak] is saying that was just a donation, an anonymous donation and really Malaysians are asking: "Who donated and where did the money go?." - Clare Rewcastle Brown - Channel NewsAsia, August 5, 2015]

[RELATED: FOCUS / CLARE'S CONTRADICTIONS – THE FORKING OF THE TONGUE – "Clare told 16×9 she has received no money from Malaysian politicians and that her donors are 'all non-politically motivated Europeans'." - Global News Canada, December 2, 2011]

[RELATED: FOCUS / CLARE'S CONTRADICTIONS – THE FORKING OF THE TONGUE – "The funding for her radio, she says, comes primarily from a single “European philanthropist” who wishes to remain anonymous; listeners also send donations through the website." - Foreign Policy, March 13, 2013]

[RELATED: FOCUS / CLARE REWCASTLE BROWN'S IGNORANCE OF HER OWN COUNTRY'S LEGAL CODES - "2– Fraud by false representation; (2) A representation is false if— (b) the person making it knows that it is, or might be, untrue or misleading." - UK FRAUD ACT 2006, August 16, 2015]

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"He has missed the opportunity to explain the truth here. I respect him and I believe in his integrity… I am still willing to believe in him but he has got to come forward and tell the truth.”

Other critics included European Law-maker Ana Maria Gomes, who said that in any other country the leader would have resigned.

Greenpeace’s International Director, Kumi Naidoo, added that the US$700 million donation was “highly suspicious and highly irregular”, and noted that authorities would have sprung into action if it involved an ordinary citizen.

Whilst Amnesty International’s Secretary General, Shalil Shetty, called for the Malaysian Government to show more “transparency” and to end the “curb on freedom of expression” in the country.

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No escape either for Taib Mahmud!

Sarawak Report has investigated and reported extensively on corruption linked to Taib Mahmud and his family.

Unlike Najib Razak, Sarawak’s Chief Minister Adenan Satem did decide to face critics, taking part as a panelist at the conference today, having recently stated that Sarawak would “fully support” the Prime Minister.

Adenan has impressed audiences with his now familiar mantra that he wants to erase admitted past corruption and stop timber concessions – as well as allow some banned individuals back into the state.

However, it was Adenan’s defence of former Chief Minister and current Governor Abdul Taib Mahmud which raised the hackles of informed critics today.

When quizzed by Global Witness co-founder Patrick Alley if he would acknowledge that Taib and his family are the root of problems in Sarawak and if he would freeze the assets of Taib, Adenan stated that: “You have allegations against my predecessor? For your information, he has been investigated by the MACC. We know that he has not been charged.”

To which Alley responded that:

“The main theme of this conference is ‘Ending impunity’. I would argue that Taib has enjoyed impunity. I do not think that the fact he has not been brought before a court reflects his ‘clean bill of health’. He is either corrupt or an incredibly successful businessman.”

As the Taib family-owned Sarawak Cable received yet another lucrative state contract today, we tweeted our own thoughts on the matter. The three-day conference attended by 1,000 delegates from 130 countries ends in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow.

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[RELATED: 'SARAWAK CABLE BAGS RM19.12M CONTRACT IN SAMALAJU.' - "In a filing with Bursa Malaysia today, the power cable and wire manufacturer said its wholly-owned subsidiary Sarwaja Timur Sdn Bhd has received a letter of acceptance from Sarawak Energy Bhd for the design, supply, delivery, erection and commissioning of the transmission line project." - The Edge Markets, September 2, 2015]

[RELATED: 'SARAWAK CABLE POSITIVE ON SARWAJA TIMUR ACQUISITION.' - "Also present during the EGM and press conference were Sarawak Cable non-independent non-executive chairman, Dato Sri Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib, non-independent non-executive deputy chairman, Datuk Fong Joo Chung, non-independent non-executive director Yek Siew Liong and independent non-executive directors; Kevin How Kow and Erman Radin." - The Borneo Post, December 19, 2010]

[RELATED: 'THE VALUE OF THE NON-EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN.' - "The traditional role of Board Chairman is not adequate to meet the expanding accountability faced by Boards of both public and private companies. Often the positions of CEO and Chairman are combined – creating irreconcilable conflicts – or the role of Chairman becomes largely symbolic in actual practice. Events of the past few years crystallize the need for drastic change in organization and practice." - Cullen Coates & Associates, 2008]

[RELATED: 'SARAWAK STOCKS ADEQUATELY SUPPORTED BY FUNDAMENTALS.' - "AmResearch Sdn Bhd (AmResearch) in a report yesterday said that while polls do not have to be called by June next year, the conjecture is for it to be held by the fourth quarter of 2015 (4Q15). It pegged Sarawak Cable, HSL and KKB are as its top picks as it believed these stocks are supported by fundamental and growth prospects, and are currently trading at undemanding valuations." - The Borneo Post, June 19, 2015]

[RELATED: 'EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE FOR SARAWAK CABLE IN FIRST QUARTER OF 2015.' - "Sarawak Cable Bhd (Sarawak Cable) yesterday announced results for the first quarter ending March 2015 (1Q15) with turnover amounting to RM343.61 million." - The Borneo Post, May 30, 2015]

[RELATED: FOCUS / CLARE'S CONTRADICTIONS–THE FORKING OF THE TONGUE –"I believe in balance and objectivity. But if you can't have that, I believe you have to be honest about it. Yes, we are associated with the opposition." - Clare Rewcastle Brown - Foreign Policy, March 13, 2013]

[RELATED: FOCUS / CLARE'S CONTRADICTIONS–THE FORKING OF THE TONGUE – "You don't publish something unless you've caught someone doing something naughty; and once you do, you're got a certain amount of license to give him a hard time. That's the job. I'm not trying to be objective, but I'm honest about what I say, and I'm critical where I think it's deserved." - Clare Rewcastle Brown - Esquire Malaysia, July 21, 2015]

[RELATED: MAHMUD TAIB: EXAGGERATED WEALTH NOT REAL, BUT FORGERIES MASQUERADING AS HACKS – “It saddens me that my divorce, which is painful enough for all, should have been hijacked by politicians and activists, and used to disseminate falsehoods under the cover of this respected court.” - Dato Seri Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib - BlogTakes, August 17, 2015]

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('PUTRAJAYA NIGHTMARE FOR NAJIB, TAIB: 'IN ANY OTHER COUNTRY, THEY WOULD HAVE TO RESIGN.' - Malaysia Chronicle, September 3, 2015)

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RELATED: UGAZ'S STATEMENT ONE-SIDED
REPORTED BY FREE MALAYSIA TODAY

KUALA LUMPUR, September 5, 2015–

Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim yesterday denounced Transparency International chairman Jose Ugaz’s claim that Malaysia was in the midst of a corruption crisis as “ill-advised,” “ill-informed” and something that ought not to be repeated, the Malaysian Insider reports.

“It was a one-sided statement,” he added, according to Malaysiakini. “He should have taken the trouble to give a balanced view by asking people who are informed about this.”

He also said that it was premature for Ugaz to comment on the matter as investigations into it have yet to be completed.

“I understand the case involves a huge amount but a proper and thorough investigation needs to be done before action can be taken,” he pointed out.

“If Najib is guilty and if the law says he should be hanged then go ahead and do that,” Tunku Abdul Aziz said further. “But I want to emphasise here that we are governed by the rule of law in the country,” he added. “That is the basis of our legal system and civilization.”

Ugaz had in his speech at the 16th International Anti-Corruption Conference on Wednesday issued scathing comments questioning Malaysia’s commitment to corruption in the light of its failure to address issues surrounding the receipt by Prime Minister Najib Razak of a RM2.6 billion political donation in 2013, calling it an “example of grand corruption.”

Now chairman of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) advisory board, Tunku Abdul Aziz also sought to defend the MACC impartiality in the matter.

“The MACC is as independent as you can get,” he claimed. “There are independent oversight panels that look into its performance.”

('Ugaz's statement one-sided.' - Free Malaysia Today, September 5, 2015)

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RELATED: TAKE ACTION AGAINST TAIB IF SERIOUS ABOUT FIGHTING GRAFT
REPORTED BY THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER
An anti-graft activist has told Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem that his predecessor Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud’s impunity from prosecution has to end if the people are to take seriously his pledge to end corruption in the local timber industry.

Global Witness director Patrick Alley said this to Adenan at a discussion on corruption in investment and development at the 16th International Anti-Corruption Conference in Kuala Lumpur.

Taib was chief minister before Adenan, from 1981 to 2014, and has gone on to be Sarawak’s governor despite scores of allegations that he had enriched himself and his family by logging Sarawak’s forests.

When he took over, Adenan promised to end corruption in Sarawak’s timber industry.

Alley, whose organisation produced a documentary in 2012 on corruption in Taib’s administration, called on Adenan to take action against Taib in order to prove his pledge.

“Without ending impunity* and what happened in the past, how can you change the future? What has happened in Sarawak has gone global,” Alley said at the plenary session titled “Peace, equality and social justice: fighting corruption in investment and development beyond 2015”.

Alley said Adenan could at least freeze the assets of the former chief minister, his family and that of his cronies.

Alley added that while Adenan has promised to end illegal logging and corruption in the timber sector, the big six companies that profited from Taib’s administration are still able to operate freely.

“Taib is governor and the logging companies still trample on the natives and they still log the same forests. Taib’s family continues to prosper.

“The forest dependent people of Sarawak have suffered harm and in the worst case, they have been raped and murdered and the forests that mitigate climate change are no more.

“Are you able to acknowledge that Taib and his cronies have been the root of this and if you can’t take them on then how can you change?” Alley asked Adenan.

In response, Adenan said Taib has been cleared by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) who had opened up several investigation papers on him. “People are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty... If you want to accuse MACC of bias that is between you and MACC,” Adenan said adding that his administration was committed to tackling the problem of illegal logging.

Adenan told reporters later that no charges have been brought against Taib despite the numerous allegations made against the former chief minister.

During the dialogue session, Adenan said in the past year, the Sarawak forestry authorities have closed down 30 illegal saw mills and intercepted the transportation of illegally felled trees.

“Do not look at the past anymore there is nothing much I can do, let’s look forward to the future and not on recriminations,” Adenan said.

He admitted that there were corrupt forestry officials in Sarawak who allowed logging in protected state parks and urged groups such as Global Witness to come forward with information on illegal logging.

“I don’t know recriminations will carry any weight if you want to you say this and I say that, there will be no end.

“You come to Sarawak and show us the facts and we will show you ours and we will take it from there.”

*The NINE QUESTIONS Panel has a simple response to this comment, which is, "What impunity is ended when a whole group of people is able to brand someone a criminal without any investigation or official judgment corroborating such a persistently faulty accusation? And whither the real corruption that doesn't get detected due to the conflation of the corrupted actions of others into a singular target?"

('Take action against Taib if serious about reform, activist tells Sarawak CM.' - The Malaysian Insider, September 3, 2015)

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RELATED: SARAWAK WILLING TO WORK WITH NEUTRAL NGOs TO ENSURE CLEAN STATE ELECTION
REPORTED BY BERNAMA

PUTRAJAYA, September 3, 2015–

Sarawak is willing to work with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to ensure a free and fair state election as long as they are neutral, said its Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem.

"Yes we are prepared, provided they are not with the opposition, just be neutral, that's all.

"And of course, its not for me to decide but for the election commission to decide because they are conducting the election, not me," he told reporters at the 16th International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) 2015, here today.

Adenan was one of the penalists in a plenary session titled "Peace, Equality and Social Justice: Fighting Corruption in Development and Investment Beyond 2015".

In the session, he was asked by Bersih joint chairman Datuk S. Ambiga whether the Sarawak state government was willing to work with NGOs to allow free and fair media coverage during the upcoming state election.

Sarawak held its state election in 2011 and the term of its current state legislative assembly will expire by June next year.

To the question on whether the state government was willing to lift the ban on several NGOs to enter Sarawak, Adenan said: "provided they are not religious extremists."

('Sarawak Willing To Work With Neutral NGOs To Ensure Clean State Election.' - BERNAMA, September 3, 2015)

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RELATED: SARAWAK TO ALLOW SOME BANNED GROUPS BACK INTO STATE
REPORTED BY THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER
Anti-graft groups and civil society organisations that are barred from Sarawak will be allowed in said its chief minister, Tan Sri Adenan Satem, as long as they are not “religious and racial bigots”.

Adenan said this after attending a dialogue session at the International Anti-Corruption Conference 2015 in Kuala Lumpur today.

He was asked by an audience member whether he would reverse a ban instituted by his predecessor Tan Sri Taib Mahmud on several groups and individuals.

During Taib’s time, Sarawak immigration officials had barred activists such as Cynthia Gabriel and Datuk Ambiga Sreevenasan from entering Sarawak.

Both had been turned away at the Kuching airport on separate occasions when they tried to enter.

“Provided they are not racial and religious bigots in any form,” Adenan told reporters again when asked if he would lift the ban on non-racial civil society groups.

Under Adenan, Sarawak has banned Malay supremacist Datuk Ibrahim Ali and controversial lecturer Dr Ridhuan Tee Abdullah from entering on grounds that the two threatened communal harmony.

Adenan said he would also let electoral reform group Bersih 2.0 back into Sarawak “provided that they are not with the opposition”.

He added that Bersih 2.0’s demands that the Sarawak elections, which are due next year, be free and fair would have to be taken up with the Election Commission.

Gabriel, who is now chairman of the Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) had been barred from entering Sarawak in 2006 and 2009, when she headed human rights group Suaram.

Ambiga had been prevented from entering in 2011 when she was chairman of electoral reform group Bersih 2.0.

Responding to his promise, Gabriel said she hoped that Adenan would commit to his words and lift the ban on Peninsular groups who worked on human rights, land grabbing and corruption issues.

Ambiga, who was also in the audience, said she would propose to Bersih 2.0’s current leadership to write to Adenan to follow up on his offer.

“Bersih 2.0 has nothing to do with the opposition but he should be open to meeting with the opposition anyway because he is the chief minister,” she said in response to Adenan’s view of the group.

('Sarawak to allow some banned groups back into state.' - The Malaysian Insider, September 3, 2015)

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RELATED: SARAWAK CAN WORK WITH BERSIH 2.0 IF THEY ESCHEW OPPOSITION LINKS, CM SAYS
REPORTED BY THE MALAY MAIL

PUTRAJAYA, September 3, 2015—

Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem today said his administration is willing to work with polls reform group Bersih 2.0 and other similar groups to ensure a free and fair election in the state.

Adenan said the state government is “prepared” to work with the groups, but on condition that they are not linked to the opposition.

“Yes, we are prepared provided you are not with the opposition,” he said when asked about the state elections which must be held by September next year.

“You don’t have to be with us, but you have to be objective,” the Sarawak Barisan Nasional chairman said during a question and answer session at the 16th International Anti-Corruption Conference.

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When asked to clarify if his state administration will work with Bersih 2.0, Adenan told reporters that will depend on the Election Commission, though he noted that the election watchdog had already set up chapters in the state.

“And of course it’s not for me to decide, it’s for the Election Commission to decide, because they are conducting the election, not me,” he said.

Former Bersih 2.0 co-chair Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan had asked if the Sarawak government was ready to work with Bersih 2.0 and other non-governmental organisations to minimise vote-buying, allowing fair access to media and to ensure free and fair elections in the state.

When met later, Ambiga told reporters that Adenan’s expression of readiness was positive, but said that Bersih 2.0 is not linked to the opposition.

“We’ve got nothing to do with the opposition. As chief minister, he must see everyone,” the Malaysian National Human Rights Society (Hakam) president said, adding that she will suggest to Bersih 2.0 to write in a letter to follow-up with Adenan.

Adenan’s comment came as another local activist, Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4)’s Cynthia Gabriel, quizzed him today on his administration’s ban on several activists’ entry into Sarawak.

Among those blocked from entry into Sarawak is Ambiga, who was barred from setting foot in the state when she was still heading Bersih 2.0 in 2011.

A year later, her successor Maria Chin Abdullah was also deported from Sarawak after arriving at the airport there in preparation for a Bersih 2.0 campaign in the state.

('Sarawak can work with Bersih 2.0 if they eschew opposition links, CM says.' - The Malay Mail, September 3, 2015)

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The NINE QUESTIONS Blog will return with more facts.
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