Media statement by DAP National Headquarters in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, 13^th August 2012:

DAP National HQ supports CIJ's "Internet Blackout Day" campaign

The DAP National HQ will suspend all its online activities for 24 hours starting from midnight 14 .8.12 in support of the Centre for Independent Journalism's "Internet Blackout Day" campaign.

For 24 hours starting from midnight 14.8.12 until midnight 15.8.12, the official websites, twitter accounts and facebooks of the DAP Malaysia, ie:

dapmalaysia.org/;

ubah.my/;

http://roketkini.com/;

http://www.therocket.com.my/;

http://twitter.com/dapmalaysia;

https://www.facebook.com/DAPMalaysia;

https://www.facebook.com/roketkini;

https://www.facebook.com/therocket.com.my

will not be posting any updates, news or activity.

This is to protest against the introduction of Section 114A into the Evidence Act, which was forced through both Houses of Parliament in April and May this year.

Section 114A places the the burden of proof on the defendant. This runs counter to the principle of law where the defendant is innocent until proven guilty. It also undermines the purpose of the internet to disseminate information and facilitate an environment of open discussion.

The DAP Parliamentary Leader YB Lim Kit Siang who is also the Member of Parliament for Ipoh Timur announced through his tweet and facebook today that he will fully support the CIJ's "Internet Blackout Day" campaign by refraining from updating his blog (http://blog.limkitsiang.com/), twitter (http://twitter.com/limkitsiang) and facebook (https://www.facebook.com/limkitsiang2.0)

All DAP elected representatives and state leaders are encouraged to take part in the campaign.

* DAP Malaysia