Govt Losing Credibility over ISA Arrests

Aliran is outraged by the latest detention of Jemaah Islah Malaysia (JIM) president Saari Sungib under the draconian Internal Security Act.

The latest arrest immediately follows the detention—and subsequent release—of another Malaysian, Mahinder Singh Radhawa. Like Mahinder,  Saari was apparently detained without knowing the “misdeeds”, if any, he had committed.

The police’s arbitrary action under the cover of the ISA appears aimed at creating a climate of fear among concerned Malaysians who have been coming out to participate in peaceful, orderly gatherings in support of justice.

By resorting so easily to frequent, arbitrary arrests under the ISA, the government has lost all its credibility and legitimacy for its actions. People no longer believe that there are any legitimate reasons for these arrests. Neither do they believe that these individuals pose a threat to national security. Many are convinced that the ISA is being used to safeguard the interests of certain people in power.

We call upon the authorities to stop intimidating and harassing citizens who are exercising their legitimate democratic right to peacefully assemble and express themselves. We also urge the government to release all ISA detainees unconditionally or charge them under specific laws if it has concrete evidence of their alleged offences.

We hope that the latest detention does not signal the start of another round of mass detentions under the hated ISA.
 

Aliran Executive Committee
13 October 1998