A screencap of the website of We The People
After the removal of the “Free Anwar” White House petition, the DAP has urged supporters to leave a message at the Kuala Lumpur United States embassy’s Facebook page.
“The petition was removed. We still don’t know why but we will not give up. Please leave a message at U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur,” said Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching on her Facebook page.
She also asked signatories to message the embassy, saying:
“Hello, I am a supporter of “Make the release of Malaysian Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim from prison a top priority for US policy toward Malaysia” petition. I do not agree that we have violated your Terms of Participation and your removal of this petition is an act of suppressing our freedom of speech. Please tell us how we violated the rules or recover the petition immediately. Thank you.”
The internet is abuzz with the removal of the petition created by former US ambassador to Malaysia John Malott at the White House page to free opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim from prison, after he was convicted of sodomy on Feb 10.
The White House which had previously expressed concerns about the rule of law and the fairness of the judicial system in Malaysia following the verdict, has appeared to have blocked new participation in its website when the petition was within reach of 100, 000 signatures – after which the United States would be compelled to respond.
However, those who visited the site were barred from signing the petition, as the White House cited a violation of its Terms of Participation under its Moderation Policy.
The site did not state which terms the petition had violated.
“While you can’t sign this petition, there may be other petitions on We the People on a similar issue that you’d like to add your name to. Or, you can create your own petition,” it added.
Malaysiakini reported that upon contacting Malott, he informed that the White House had not given him any notifications of the petition removal.
“Furthermore, I have read the White House Terms of Participation, and there is nothing in their terms that applies to this petition. So I do not understand what is going on,” he told Malaysiakini.
DAP leaders had taken to Facebook and Twitter yesterday and today to push for the 100,000 mark which when it needed 29, 000 signatures more.
“Anwar Release White House Petition – We need another 35,000 signatures in the next 72 hours. It takes only 1 minute, don’t hesitate, take part, Act Now!” read one of the posts on Serdang MP Ong Kian Ming’s Facebook Page.
Three hours earlier, Gelang Patah MP Lim Kit Siang Tweeted: ”Below 4k by 10am. Only 3,733 needed 2reach 100k signatures SSSS Anwar. Now 96,267. Power of netizens!”
Meanwhile, Pakatan Rakyat leaders say that they may be “hidden hands” intervening in the attempt to prompt the White House to act regarding the Anwar’s imprisonment.
“There are hidden hands trying to sabotage the move, but the battle for international lobby will continue,” PKR vice-president Tian Chua told Malay Mail Online when met in Parliament.
He had earlier tweeted, tweeted: “The FreeAnwar petition Whitehouse has been suspended–i suspect Malaysian government has sabotaged the petition and undermined the process”.
Klang MP Charles Santiago, also present at the press conference in Parliament, said that the removal of the petition could be linked to the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (which) which the United States is in talks with Malaysia to implement.
“There are rumours going on that Malaysia has put pressure on the White House to not support petition because of TPPA. It is totally improper,” he said.
-The Rocket
