Clashes: Police commended for not invoking ISA
K KabilanPublished: Mar 21, 2001 9:26 AM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 6:21 PM
The Bar Council today praised the police for not using the Internal Security Act (ISA) - which allows detention without trial - when conducting its investigations into the recent clashes that took place in Petaling Jaya Selatan.
The council's newly-minted chairman Mah Weng Kwai said in a press statement that the fact the police did not invoke the ISA in their investigations "augured well for the future".
"Nevertheless, the Bar Council maintains that the ISA is an oppressive piece of legislation and ought to be repealed as soon as possible," he said.
He also said that the government should set up a royal commission of inquiry immediately to investigate the problems which caused the clashes.
"The commission could determine the various causes of the problems that led to the sudden outburst of violence."
Maintain rule of law
"The Bar Council hopes that the independent royal commission of inquiry, if appointed, will move with deliberate speed to complete this inquiry and to make public its findings and recommendations," added Mah.
He said that the Bar Council was concerned over the violent incident and wished to emphasise the importance of maintaining the rule and enforcement of law in the country.
Violent clashes in Petaling Jaya Selatan at Kampung Medan and its vicinity since March 9 resulted in six killed and 52 injured. The clashes were reported to have continued for four days. About 600 police personnel have been stationed at the affected areas to maintain public order.
The police also arrested about 220 people who were believed to be involved in the clashes. Since last Friday, most of them have been charged in court under the 1958 Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act, the 1967 Police Act and the Penal Code.
Unanswered questions
Last week, opposition leaders, too, called for the setting up of an independent commission of inquiry to look into the various "unanswered questions" arising from the clashes.
Keadilan deputy president Dr Chandra Muzaffar said the commission was needed to look into the underlying causes and factors that triggered off the disturbances.
"From what the victims told us, it appears there are many unexplained and unanswered questions on what actually happened there," said Chandra after visiting victims of the clashes at the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre last week.
The council's newly-minted chairman Mah Weng Kwai said in a press statement that the fact the police did not invoke the ISA in their investigations "augured well for the future".
"Nevertheless, the Bar Council maintains that the ISA is an oppressive piece of legislation and ought to be repealed as soon as possible," he said.
He also said that the government should set up a royal commission of inquiry immediately to investigate the problems which caused the clashes.
"The commission could determine the various causes of the problems that led to the sudden outburst of violence."
Maintain rule of law
"The Bar Council hopes that the independent royal commission of inquiry, if appointed, will move with deliberate speed to complete this inquiry and to make public its findings and recommendations," added Mah.
He said that the Bar Council was concerned over the violent incident and wished to emphasise the importance of maintaining the rule and enforcement of law in the country.
Violent clashes in Petaling Jaya Selatan at Kampung Medan and its vicinity since March 9 resulted in six killed and 52 injured. The clashes were reported to have continued for four days. About 600 police personnel have been stationed at the affected areas to maintain public order.
The police also arrested about 220 people who were believed to be involved in the clashes. Since last Friday, most of them have been charged in court under the 1958 Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act, the 1967 Police Act and the Penal Code.
Unanswered questions
Last week, opposition leaders, too, called for the setting up of an independent commission of inquiry to look into the various "unanswered questions" arising from the clashes.
Keadilan deputy president Dr Chandra Muzaffar said the commission was needed to look into the underlying causes and factors that triggered off the disturbances.
"From what the victims told us, it appears there are many unexplained and unanswered questions on what actually happened there," said Chandra after visiting victims of the clashes at the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre last week.
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