The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) today criticised the police for employing strong measures to stop an anti-Internal Security Act meeting in Kuala Lumpur last night.

Commissioner Prof Hamdan Adnan advised the organiser the Abolish ISA Movement (AIM) to lodge a formal complaint with Suhakam so that the case can be examined for breach of human rights.

The meeting was called to launch the 'ISA mala fide' campaign, aimed at pressuring the authorities to release all reformasi activists detained under the security law.

However, police sealed off the venue and dispersed the 300-strong crowd with some force outside the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (SCAH).

Hamdan said the police should have allowed the event to carry on if it was held on private property and did not hinder the public in any way.

"We regret the police action. It has always been Suhakam's stand that Malaysians have a right to peaceful assembly," he said.

'Undemocratic' action

A spokesperson for human rights advocacy group Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) denounced the police action as "blatant injustice" and undemocratic.

"We condemn the police action. They have created an atmosphere that is not conducive to democracy," said S Arutchelvan.

Arutchelvan is also the secretary of AIM, a coalition of 83 political parties, non-governmental organisations and unions.

He said AIM had submitted a letter of undertaking as requested by Dang Wangi district police chief Hadi Ho Abdullah.

The authorities were assured that the programme would be confined to the SCAH building, and that the 300 guests would be registered to ensure they were AIM members, and that they would be seated during the launch.

"The venue is owned by a member of AIM. If we can't (hold a meeting) in our own building, then what are the police trying to say? Are they asking us to do it in the streets?" he asked.

The police have justified their action by citing section 27 of the Police Act, which allows for the suspension of activities deemed prejudicial to national security even if held on private property.

However, Arutchelvan questioned its validity, explaining that he had invited the district police chief to the meeting to see for himself whether it was a threat to national security.

"He could have come to check on the meeting and then declare it an illegal assembly. In this case, (the police) declared it illegal even before the meeting took place! They cannot presume such things beforehand," he pointed out.

Indictment of police

The Human Rights Society of Malaysia (Hakam) joined in the chorus of voices censuring the police.

"Their actions were appalling. The meeting should have been allowed to proceed. It is our legitimate right to hold a peaceful gathering," said secretary-general Elizabeth Wong.

She said that the police may have acted in such a way because they were in a "defensive position" as a result of the Federal Court ruling.

"(The ruling) is an indictment of the role of the police in political interference and their total lack of professionalism. This was reflected in their actions last night," she said.

On Sept 6, the Federal Court had ruled that the detention of five activists under the ISA for the initial 60-day period of interrogation was not lawful.

The court also decided the ruling would not affect the two-year detention order signed by Home Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi based on information gathered during the interrogation.

Morally wrong

The International Movement for a Just World (Just) also castigated the police, labelling the action "morally wrong" and a violation of the fundamental rights to freedom of assembly and expression.

Its president, Dr Chandra Muzaffar, pointed out that the meeting was held to discuss the detention of a group of individuals, which the Federal Court had decided was unlawful.

"It goes to show that the police have little respect for the wisdom of the judiciary or the rule of law," he added.