On the eve of Malaysia celebrating its 50 years of Independence on 31st August 2007, three more people have been reportedly arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA) recently.
Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA (GMI) was informed that two men were detained under Section 28 of the ISA on suspicion of spreading rumours about the race riots in Pasir Gudang and Masai in Johor. According to the New Straits Times (NST, 30th August 2007), the two men were believed to be aged 25 and 29. However, no details of the detainees and their whereabouts were revealed.
Another ISA arrest was made in Teluk Intan, Perak at 11 am yesterday. The person is known as Mohd Noor bin Abu Bakar, aged 33 and is alleged to be a Jemaah Islamiyaah (JI) member. GMI questions why there are still people arrested under the allegation of belonging to JI when the Inspector General of Police was quoted as saying there are no JI movements in Malaysia? (Malay daily Berita Harian, 10 June 2007).
GMI recognizes the problems of individuals and groups forwarding malicious SMS that may lead to racial riots in the country. In that matter, proper investigations should be taken. However, we strongly condemn the use of the draconian ISA in making the arrest as any form of detention without trial is in violation of basic human rights and blatantly circumvents the rule of law.
GMI would like to remind the government that the ISA makes a mockery of the principle of presuming innocent until proven guilty; it unjustly denies our civil liberties; it allows for detention without trial and thus denies natural justice. Worse still, it creates conditions for torture and other degrading forms of treatment while under detention.
It not only dampens the spirit of Independence but brings shame to the country, a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
We express grave concern over the personal safety and integrity of the three detainees who are now under incommunicado detention. We urge the police to allow immediate access to the detainees by lawyers and their family members to prevent torture and inhuman treatment.
We call on the government to charge them in court or else release them. The ISA cannot be used under any circumstances as one’s entitlement to a fair trial should never be deprived.
GMI calls for the repeal of the draconian ISA, which violates Article 9, 10 and 11 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948 and Article 8 of the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Federal Constitution which guarantees due process and security of persons.
Abolish ISA! Release All The Detainees! Close Down KEMTA!
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