Referring to Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s statement yesterday that the local police force would be wise to emulate crime-fighting methods of the communist-party led government, Surendran said China does not uphold the rule of law.
“China is hardly a praise-worthy example for our country to admire or learn from. It is a country that does not uphold the rule of law and has one of the worst human rights records in the world.
“The Chinese government’s values and methods are diametrically opposed to any serious or self-respecting democracy. It is a one-party state that does not practice democracy or hold elections,” the Padang Serai MP said.
Citing that Malaysia’s federal constitution is democratic and guarantees fundamental human rights, such as freedom of expression, association, assembly and religion, Surendran called for Putrajaya to instead look to the “free and democratic nations of the world”.
“Should the DPM and our government require examples to emulate, I would strongly urge them to look towards nations which respect and uphold their citizens’ fundamental rights.”
Surendran, who is also PKR vice-president, added that Chinese policing methods are tainted by their lack of respect for human rights or of due process.
“Malaysia cannot and must not emulate the policing example of such a country.
“Just last year, the world witnessed a flagrant example of China’s policing, when over 280 human rights lawyers and activists were detained and interrogated throughout China. Many of them remain under detention.”