Various groups condemn violent treatment of PSM activist, call for halt to farmers’ eviction
SHAH ALAM – In the aftermath of a conflict involving farmers in Kanthan and the authorities, various activist organisations have condemned the brutal treatment of Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) activist Chong Yee Shan.
They have also united in demanding an immediate cessation of farmers' evictions and the demolition of their agricultural lands.
They were responding to yesterday's incident, when authorities from the Ipoh Land and Mines Office (PTG) mistreated Chong when she went to the ground to block the bulldozers.
In a video that was circulated online, an enforcement officer was seen pushing Chong and causing her injuries. She suffered injuries to her nose and mouth, along with broken teeth.
Beside Chong, three other PSM activists, including chairperson Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj, Karthiges Manickam, Kesavan Parvathy, and farmer Ho Pon Tien, were briefly detained.
The Malaysia Climate Emergency Coalition (GDIMY), a coalition of NGOs and individuals dedicated to fortifying Malaysia against climate-related challenges, strongly voiced their disapproval of the act, adding that this act of violence against a woman, a civil society activist, or a Malaysian citizen is unacceptable, especially when committed by a man, a government officer who lacks the authority to use force to execute his duties.
“Acts of violence, particularly when carried out by men against women, are abhorrent and contravene a woman's rights to participate freely and completely in civil society activities.
This constitutes not only an abuse of power but also an illegal use of force by the officer,” it said in a statement.
The group also added that there was a need for decisive administrative and legal actions against the officer involved, asserting that the government's stance against violence against women and children in other parts of the world made it imperative for similar measures to be taken within its own jurisdiction.
The statement was co-signed by several organisations, including Kuala Lumpur Residents Action Plus for Sustainable Development, Alliance of River Three, Forum Kedaulatan Makanan Malaysia (FKMM), Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazakh Alam, Aliran Malaysia, Greenpeace Malaysia, and actress and activist Sharifah Sofia.
