Journalists condemn crackdown in Malaysia

Seapa calls on Malaysian authorities to immediately release the parties concerned, who were arrested under Malaysia's Internal Security Act (ISA) on September 12. We also join the call for the outright junking of the ISA, the draconian law that allows for detention without trial, which has often been wielded to stifle dissent and free expression while denying citizens due process of law.

First to be arrested last Friday was blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin. Next to be arrested was journalist Tan Hoon Cheng. Finally, Teresa Kok, a lawmaker from the Chinese-based DAP, and deputy chief minister in Selangor, was also arrested under the ISA.

Malaysian media and opposition activists have expressed fears that Malaysia may be headed for a bigger crackdown. The arrests last Friday may also be part of a wider campaign that has also seen three Malaysian newspapers threatened with suspension.

The perceived crackdown on dissenting voices does not encourage hope for a more democratic Malaysia. Indeed, it suggests that the government is ready to reverse the slow, tentative expansion of political and media space in Malaysia over the past few years.

R Alampay

Executive director, Southeast Asian Press Alliance

Bangkok

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Why not apply 'One World, One Dream' to the UN?

The tremendous efforts mainland China made to successfully host the Beijing Olympics in the spirit of fairness and peaceful athletic competition have impressed the world. It is this same spirit that led to the founding of the United Nations, as reflected in the principles enunciated in the UN Charter.

At the 63rd session of the UN General Assembly, the Republic of China (Taiwan) hoped that the two sides of the Taiwan Straits can, in the Olympic spirit of equality and mutual respect, cooperate within the United Nations to advance the well-being of all.

Over the past six decades, various historical factors have resulted in the separate development of the societies on both sides of the straits and the exclusion of Taiwan from participation in the United Nations since 1971. Consequently, the people of Taiwan and mainland China have been deprived of opportunities to cooperate in the international arena so as to build mutual trust.

Since ROC president Ma Ying-jeou took office in May 2008, the ROC has embraced a forward-looking, pragmatic attitude to promote friendship and understanding across the Taiwan Straits. In June, the new administration took the lead in resuming systematic talks between Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation and its mainland Chinese counterpart, the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits. From the negotiations came the historic inauguration of direct, weekly charter flights, for the first time bringing tourists from mainland China to Taiwan.

We hope that the two sides can continue working to shelve disputes and develop mutual respect and understanding, not only in cross-straits relations but in our interactions in the international community, thereby replacing zero-sum competition with win-win collaboration.

In his May 20 inaugural address, President Ma stated: "Only when Taiwan is no longer isolated in the international arena can cross-straits relations move forward with confidence." In other words, making progress in cross-straits relations and gaining more space for Taiwan internationally are two sides of the same coin. Through our participation in the functional organisations of the United Nations, we can establish a platform for cooperation with mainland China in advancing the cause not only of cross-straits friendship but of international peace and prosperity, thereby realising the ideal of the Beijing Olympics' motto of "One World, One Dream."

Vanessa Shih

Government spokesperson

Republic of China (Taiwan)

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Setting the record straight on PM candidates

Re: "We ask for change, we get the same old garbage", Letters, September 17.

I also dislike the People Power Party's poor and limited choices of candidates for premier. However, the writer's reasons for his dislike are full of holes.

First, Somchai Wongsawat, being a brother-in-law, is obviously related "in law" and not in blood to Thaksin. So, "thicker blood" does not apply to this in-law.

Second, Surapong Suebwonglee was not an executive member of the former Thak Rak Thai Party. Hence, he was not excluded by the court from participation in politics. At the time of the appointment of the TRT executives, he was at odds with Thaksin.

Finally, Sompong Amornvivat was not a former police general but is a brother of a former police general.

Songdej Praditsmanont

Bangkok

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