Artists, writers band up in Samad Said’s cause
They condemn police for harassing the poet and vow to keep fighting for freedom of expression.
(Free Malaysia Today) – Scores of writers, artists and political activists have banded together to condemn the police for harassing National Laureate A Samad Said.
Police interrogated the 76-year-old Samad on June 25 for reciting a poem at the Bersih 2.0 launch a week earlier. He was told he was being investigated for sedition as well as for participating in an unlawful assembly.
“We are appalled that the reading of a poem can be considered seditious,” said a statement signed by more than 150 writers, activists and artists in different disciplines.
They include Fahmi Fadzil, Marion D’Cruz, Mano Maniam, Farish Noor, Zedeck Siew, Ng Seksan, Raja Petra Kamarudin, Eddin Khoo, Jo Kukathas, Anne James, Kee Thuan Chye, Wong Hoy Chong, Pyanhabib Rahman and the organisations Persatuan Seni Rumah Air Panas, Five Arts Centre, Jumping Jellybeans, Rumah Anak Teater, Instant Café Theatre and The Parking Project.
