DAP condemns crackdown on HRP convoy

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng has voiced support for the Human Rights Party's (HRP) nationwide convoy exercise over the weekend that was harshly clamped down by the police.

“The arrests of HRP protesting against some derogatory contents in the school text Interlok is regrettable and an abuse of basic human rights and freedom to protest peacefully.

“DAP urges the BN government to take into account the genuine concerns of Malaysians who feel insulted by derogatory descriptions in the book.

“Any failure to address these concerns would only show that 1Malaysia is all talk and no action,” said Lim in a statement today.

He said the police action, which resulted in 59 arrests and alleged manhandling of detainees, showed that the police were willing to forgo their main duties - combating crime - to curbing political dissidents.

Lim, who is also the Bagan MP, said his party strongly condemns the arrests and urged the authorities to drop all charges against them.

He reminded the BN ruled federal administration that it had committed to resolving religious issues and preserving the well-being of Malaysia's multi-racial community during the World Interfaith Harmony Week.

“One of the key aspects of this Interfaith Harmony Week celebrations is freedom. Not just freedom of religious worship but also freedom of assembly and to dissent or protest peacefully.

“Such harsh actions against HRP members would be contrary to the basic charter as set out in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” he said.