Less Detainees Doesn't Mean No Detainee; Say No! To Detention Without Trial!

Only 12 ISA detainees left in Kamunting: Hishammuddin

Friday, 26 June 2009 10:44am

©The Sun (Used by permission) KUALA LUMPUR (June 25, 2009): There are only 12 Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees left in Kamunting, comprising six Malaysians and six foreigners, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein. He said eight of them were still under detention for involvement in miltant activities and the others for forging documents. Hishammuddin said since 2004, 100 individuals were detained under the ISA for forging of documents (29), duplication of RM1 coins (17) and involvement in Hindraf five), Darul Islam (17), Jemaah Islamiah (18) and Malaysian Militant Group (one). Others were also cases of producing writings that insulted Islam (one), smuggling of illegal immigrants (one), acting as foreign intelligence agents (seven), Southern Thai Separatist Movement (three) and nuclear component supplier (one). Replying to questions from Datuk Mohd Jidin Safee (BN-Setiu) and Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (PAS-Rantau Panjang), Hishammuddin said several political party leaders were also detained under the ISA. "However, the government would like to stress here this was not based on political offence or agenda. It was based on the individuals' activities which threatened the country's security and public order," he said. To a supplementary question from Dr Lo' Lo' Mohd Ghazali, Hishammuddin said cases involving terrorists or militants, with extensive global networking, could not be solved within days. "The Opposition MPs should not twist the facts. Our investigations, including the witnesses we questioned, cannot be exposed to the public, otherwise, it will affect their safety. "Do not simply accuse us. What the Barisan Nasional (BN) government is doing is actually for your own good, to take care of the safety of the MPs here too," he said, adding Lo' Lo' can raise any specific case in the Dewan and she will get the replies. Lo' Lo', in her question, said Opposition members were also placed under the ISA although they were not involved in the alleged activities, adding one of them had yet to be released probably due to his wife's active involvement in the Abolish ISA Movement. "If the government has proof of their activities, they should be tried in court and be given a chance to defend themselves," she added. Hishammuddin said the ministry was reviewing the laws under its purview, including the ISA, and as long as they have yet to be amended, the existing laws remain. The amendments would deal with four aspects namely, the 60-day-long detention, appointment of independent investigating officer, the list of threats and limiting the length of detention extension order. Later in Parliament lobby, Hishammuddin said amendments to the ISA would be tabled in Parliament's next session, followed by other outdated laws under the ministry. "We have 33 Acts governing the (home) minister's power. And we have old laws like the Restricted Residence Act 1933, Explosives Act 1957, Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act 1958 and Second Hand Dealers Act 1946. "These were necessary in those days. They were drafted during the confrontation era and emergency period when the main threat was the communists," he said. Hishammuddin said the government was seriously listening to the stakeholders when reviewing the laws to suit current needs. Asked whether Opposition members would also be invited to contribute their views, he said: "They should just give me their proposals because I am worried they may lack maturity and rationale in their views."