Bebaskan Tian Chua sekarang/
Release Tian Chua immediately

Aliran strongly condemns the re-arrest of Tian Chua, co-ordinator of Gagasan, immediately after his release from Court on bail on 30 November 1998.

Tian’s re-arrest after his earlier nine-day detention is clearly contemptuous of the rule of law and due process. Indeed, it is tantamount to “contempt of court” especially since the police offered no specific reasons for his re-arrest.

Whatever police investigations necessary should have been completed during his nine-day detention period and whatever charges deemed necessary should have been submitted to the Court when Tian was produced on 30 November. As such, his re-arrest appears to be an attempt to intimidate him and others who have been critical of the government and of the questionable conduct of the police in recent months.

Aliran is also deeply concern about Tian’s health, safety and well-being. According to Suaram sources, Tian had communicated that he had been beaten by the police during detention.

Aliran therefore calls for Tian’s immediate release. We further call upon the Home Minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and the Inspector-General of Police, Rahim Noor, to investigate Tian’s and other victims’ allegations of police brutality, and to ensure that the police respect the rule of law and due process in the country.
 

Executive Committee
1 December 1998