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MEET ANWAR ADELAIDE
‘Dissent and Democracy: An Audience with Anwar Ibrahim
19th October 2013 (Saturday)
6:30pm
46 Watson Avenue, Rose Park,South Australia
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Malaysiakini
COMMENT The Malaysian government not doing itself any favours by futilely trying to limit the freedoms of students studying abroad.
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Anwar yesterday spoke at the Adelaide Festival of Ideas, which reportedly had a focus on “political institutions and where they went wrong”.
Despite the threats of losing their scholarships, according to the Australian wire service Australian Associated Press many students attended the event, though those spoken to asked to remain anonymous.
So while the PSD didn’t manage to scare away students, they did manage to get themselves a spread in the Australian papers.
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Opening the paper this Sunday morning, (in the general news section rather than the ‘world news’) readers of The Age read Anwar’s claims that the Malaysian government was breaching Australian law, along with calls by Xenophon for the government to take action on the matter.
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade yesterday released a statement defending the rights of Malaysian students to attend the event, and seeming to support Anwar’s claim that the Malaysian government had broken Australian laws.
‘‘All students residing in Australia, including Malaysian students, enjoy all rights and liberties available under the Australian law, including the ability to attend a wide variety of legitimate events taking place in Australia. The Festival of Ideas in Adelaide is one such event.” The Age quoted a department spokesperson as saying.
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Along with the bad media coverage, trying to control the activities of Malaysian students abroad is a folly and will only likely make students who aren’t already political, question why their government is so keen to control their movements.
To the students who are studying in Australia and are getting used to a country which strongly defends the right to free speech and freedom of association, the absurd contrast of the intimidation by Malaysian authorities would must only serve to highlight the difference between the two ‘democracies’ .
JARNI BLAKKARLY is an Australian-Malaysian journalism student based in Melbourne, who has previously interned with Malaysiakini.
Student intimidation abroad – bad PR for M’sia
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Malaysian Insider
Threat to Malaysian students backfires as Anwar draws huge crowd in Australia
BY TRINNA LEONG
October 20, 2013
A warning emailed to Malaysian students in Australia against attending a programme featuring opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim had the opposite effect. It piqued interest and drew a large crowd to his talk at Adelaide University yesterday, said those who attended it.
The event received overwhelming response, forcing organisers to change the venue to a bigger hall to accommodate some 900 people, 300 more than initially expected.
Those who attended the talk said that the crowd, a blend of Malaysians and Australians, were curious to hear Anwar speak after news that Malaysian offcials warned students was reported by the Australian media.
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DS Anwar Ibrahim’s last program in Adelaide “MeetAnwar” accompanied by Selangor Exco YB Elizabeth Wong. Around 200 turned up
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Anwar Ibrahim Club @AICMalaysia
“@AICMalaysia: DS @anwaribrahim & @Jayweatherill , Premier of South Australia. pic.twitter.com/xAgRAdemh5“
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“@AICMalaysia: DS @anwaribrahim bersama Senator Nick Xenophon sblm berangkat pulang ke Malaysia di Airport Adelaide. pic.twitter.com/AmkjbKucty”
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Anwar Ibrahim Club @AICMalaysia
RT”@fahmi_fadzil: Standing. Ovation. For @anwaribrahim pic.twitter.com/5oLfnn9Yp2“
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Anwar Ibrahim Club @AICMalaysia
Adelaide Festival of Ideas. DS @anwaribrahim sedang berucap. Dewan penuh! pic.twitter.com/5z1YeGZvQo
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Anwar Ibrahim Club @AICMalaysia
Adelaide Festival of Ideas – Dato Seri @anwaribrahim diwawancara oleh Waleed Aly (ABC) pic.twitter.com/F7jh1yT2oL
Anwar Ibrahim Club @AICMalaysia
Dato seri @anwaribrahim bersama Dr. Brian P. Schmidt – Pemenang hadiah Nobel Fizik pic.twitter.com/3mkpJg6aDf
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DS @anwaribrahim ditemui para pelajar Malaysia yg mengadakan protes bantah “nasihat” JPA utk jgn hadir sesi DSAI pic.twitter.com/kyjvw9a7Gn
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Anwar Ibrahim Club @AICMalaysia
DS @anwaribrahim sdg berucap di #MeetAnwar Adelaide. pic.twitter.com/0rwbVzhqT4
Waleed Aly and Anwar Ibrahim discussing democracy before a packed Bonython Hall at #AdlFOI
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Incredible lineup for Anwar Ibrahim’s #AdlFOI session, snaking all the way back behind Bonython Hall
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Adelaide Festival of Ideas shared a link.
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Malaysian Insider
Malaysian students in Adelaide protest against directive barring them from Anwar’s talk
BY EILEEN NG
October 19, 2013
Anwar meeting the student protesters today at the University of Adelaide. – Pic courtesy Fahmi Fadzil Twitter, October 19, 2013.
A group of Malaysian students in Australia staged a protest against Putrajaya for barring them from attending a programme which featured opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported dozens of Malaysian students wearing masks and holding up signs proclaiming that they would not be silenced by the government’s directive.
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This photo posted on Anwar’s Instagram account today shows him addressing the forum to a capacity audience at the University of Adelaide’s Festival of Ideas. – October 19, 2013.
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ABC News
Malaysian students protest against government threats outside Anwar Ibrahim speech
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Anwar Ibrahim is “mobbed” after his morning session in Adelaide
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Keadilan Daily
Siswa M’sia di Australia rancang himpunan pertahan hak bersuara
Oleh Sidiqin Omar)
KUALA LUMPUR 18 OKT: Satu himpunan bagi mempertahankan hak bersuara dan kebebasan maklumat kepada mahasiswa Malaysia di luar negara akan diadakan di Elder Hall, Adelaide University, Australia.
Menurut laman Facebook Adun Semambu, Pahang, Lee Chean Chung, himpunan akan diadakan pada hari Sabtu , 19 Oktober ini bernula jam 10 pagi, waktu Australia.
Peserta himpunan turut digalakkan memakai pakaian hitam sebagai simbol bantahan.
“Sejurus selepas insiden pemegang biasiswa JPA diberi amaran supaya jangan hadir program Anwar Ibrahim di Australia, sekumpulan mahasiswa kita akan membuat bantahan di Universiti Adelaide.
“Saya memberikan sokongan penuh kepada mereka yang berani dan matang,” tulis Lee di laman Facebook beliau.
Read the full article
Short URL: http://www.keadilandaily.com/?p=56238
Siswa M’sia di Australia rancang himpunan pertahan hak bersuara
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7News Adelaide @7NewsAdelaide
Malaysian students studying in #Adelaide warned off attending lecture by Anwar Ibrahim @ChrisBrunner20 reports http://yhoo.it/17QgP0L
7 News Sydney —
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Some of our fellow Malaysians working and living in Adelaide, Australia taking photo’s with Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim who is visiting as a Special Guest there on behalf of Senator Nick Xenophon, and is scheduled to give talks there during the Adelaide IDEAS Festival.
Anwar Ibrahim Club @AICMalaysia
DS @anwaribrahim di Mamak Corner di Adelaide, Australia. pic.twitter.com/ykPANoG22K
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Arrived in Adelaide and speaking with the press about my visit and the unfortunate attempt to scare Malaysians from engaging with ideas and concepts integral for their future as global citizens. There can be no democracy without a real discussion and debate. So let us discuss. #adlfoi — at Adelaide Airport.
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In response to the email threat, Anwar has outwardly told the Australian press that he could not assure students that their scholarships would not be revoked but he said that the opposition would address the issue in Parliament.
Malaysian Insider
Anwar asks Australian government to speak up on threat against Malaysian students
BY TRINNA LEONG
October 18, 2013
Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has asked the Australian government to speak up against the email threat sent to students by the Malaysian High Commission.
Anwar, who arrived in Adelaide today, admitted that while he could not protect the students from losing their scholarships if they were to attend an event graced by him, the Australian government could voice their disagreement.
“I would appeal again to the Australian authorities. For what you do, what you say would help immensely in this process. But remaining muted against this clear action against democratic principles would certainly encourage authoritarian or semi-authoritarian (parties) to continue to intimidate,” he was quoted by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) today.
“I would strongly urge the Australian authorities, in the most diplomatic-like manner, to make it known that this cannot be tolerated or condoned,” he added.
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On Oct 14, students were warned from attending the event titled “Festival of Ideas – Dissent and Democracy: An Audience with Anwar Ibrahim”, and were told that they will face stern action and may lose their scholarships if they ignored the warning.
In an email, student advisor Shahrezan Md Sheriff who works at the Malaysian consulate in Sydney warned students on scholarships not to attend the festival session.
Free Malaysia Today
M’sian govt’s paranoia makes news Down Under
It is vital for the students to feel free to attend the Anwar Ibrahim event, says Adelaide Festival of Ideas director Sophie Black.
PETALING JAYA: Malaysian students studying in Australia being ‘warned off’ from attending an Anwar Ibrahim talk in Adelaide this Saturday has made it to international news.
Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s (ABC) national flagship current affairs programme 7.30 interviewed the opposition leader himself, Adelaide Festival of Ideas director Sophie Black and Australian senator Nick Xenophon on the matter.
Black expressed her concerns for the students, saying it was important for them to feel confident and to feel that they can attend the event without consequences.
“It’s absolutely vital that they can feel free to attend something like this, that they can sit in the audience of someone that they admire and listen to them speak,” she said.
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Watch the video: Video: Malaysian students warned off attending Anwar Ibrahim talk (7.30)
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Herald Sun
- The Advertiser
- October 17, 2013
Anwar Ibrahim visit for Adelaide Festival of Ideas prompts email threats to local Malaysian students
Malaysian students in Adelaide have been warned off going to hear Malaysian politician Anwar Ibrahim during the Adelaide Festival of Ideas on Saturday.
An email sent on Monday to 90 Malaysian students in Adelaide warns “stern action” would be taken against them if they attended.
Anwar Ibrahim, who is due to fly in to Adelaide on Friday morning is world famous as a reforming politician in Malaysia, where he has been harassed and jailed on successive charges of homosexuality and sodomy, which he denies.
He is Leader of the Opposition in Malaysia and was invited to the Festival of Ideas to speak on Dissent and Democracy.
The email is addressed to JPA scholars, those who have received scholarships to study here funded by Malaysia’s Public Service Department.
The email is signed by Shahrezan MD Sheriff, student adviser at the Public Service Department, and advises students not to attend the meeting.
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ABC News
Malaysian students told not to attend Anwar Ibrahim’s lecture at Festival of Ideas
Malaysian students studying in Australia have been warned their scholarships are under threat if they attend a lecture by democracy icon Anwar Ibrahim.
The one-time deputy prime minister and perennial opponent of the Malaysian government, feted around the world for his decades-long campaign for democracy and the rule of law, will speak this weekend at Adelaide’s Festival of Ideas.
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Now, the government has warned Malaysian students that their scholarships are under threat if they attend Mr Anwar’s lecture.
An email from the student adviser at the Malaysian consulate in Sydney has warned students to make sure their scholarship “does not go down the drain”.
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The email is signed “the one who cares,” student advisor Shahrezan Sheriff.
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Students maintain scared silence
Many Malaysian students approached by 7.30 were too frightened of the consequences to speak publicly.
However, one student not on a scholarship spoke to 7.30 on condition of anonymity.
“Yes, I am really disappointed because I thought of asking my friends who are JPS scholars if they would like to go with me tomorrow,” the student said.
“They didn’t even reply.”
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‘We want them to feel confident’: Xenophon
Senator Nick Xenophon has been a long time supporter of Mr Anwar, and on a parliamentary visit to Malaysia earlier this year he was detained for sixteen hours at the airport before being deported.
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“The level of paranoia amongst the Malaysia government is just extraordinary.”
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-17/malaysia-students-anwar-ibrahim-lecture-xenaphon/5029810
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19th October 2013 (Saturday)|6:30pm|46 Watson Avenue, Rose Park,South Australia
Organised by Anwar Ibrahim Club & Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia Adelaide
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WARNING
Malaysian Public Services Department warning against atending Anwar Ibrahim’s talk.
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Malaysiakini
Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim has slammed the Public Services Department’s (PSD) Australian adviser, who allegedly issued a warning to government scholars not to attend an event featuring his talk in Adelaide on Saturday.
Anwar said these are “small minds operating under the orchestration of Umno. They operate even beyond Malaysian waters.
“This is a seige mentality. They do not want the students to be exposed to other views because we are often labelled as pro-Communist and pro-Christians.
“They cannot imagine that we have direct access to the students,” Anwar added.
Anwar: Small-minded to ban students from Adelaide talk
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Published on Oct 16, 2013
A screenshot is circulating of an email purportedly from the Malaysian Public Services Department warning Malaysian government scholars in Australia against attending a talk by Anwar Ibrahim or risk severe action being taken against them. But KiniTV’s discovered the same warning was apparently also issued in connection with an anti-Taib protest…as well as a government-supported TalentCorp event.
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Malaysiakini
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PKR has questioned whether the Public Services Department’s (PSD) Australian adviser has issued a “warning” to government scholars not to attend an event featuring PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim in Adelaide on Saturday.
Its communications director Fahmi Fadzil (centre in photo), in a statement this morning, referred to a letter purportedly sent out by a student adviser for the PSD in Australia, who warned PSD scholars against attending the event at Adelaide University.
“I wouldn’t hesitate to take stern action (against) those (PSD scholars) who are involved. You know really well what you’ve signed into,” reads the letter, signed by one Shahrezan Sheriff.
Shahrezan was referring to Anwar’s programme at the Adelaide Festival of Ideas, entitled ‘Dissent and Democracy: An Audience with Anwar Ibrahim’.
PSD scholars told not to go to Anwar event in Australia?—
WHO IS SHAHREZAN MD SHERIFF?
Malaysiakini has contacted the PSD student advisory office in New South Wales and was told that Shahrezan Md Sheriff is indeed a student adviser there.
However, Shahrezan was not personally present in the office to verify if he had indeed sent out such an email.
He is also listed as an adviser on the Education Malaysia Australia (EMA) website and last year was a senior assistant director for the human model development (Pembangunan Modal Insan) division in the PSD.
According to a local student blog, Shahrezan was earlier responsible for handling applications for scholarships from STPM students.
PSD scholars told not to go to Anwar event in Australia?
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weehingthong 