The Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) call to release the 13 individuals detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) has been criticised by Home Affairs Minister Hishammuddin Hussein as being completely irresponsible.

NONEHishammuddin asserted that Suhakam should not have made the statement without first checking on facts or background of those detained in Tawau, Sabah on Monday.    

“Making a statement without background information and facts and wanting to release these dangerous individuals was completely irresponsible of Suhakam,” he said after meeting settlers in Felda Bukit Tongkat in Kluang today.  

Hishammuddin, who is also Semberong member of parliament, advised the human rights group to meet him and said the ministry was prepared to share information on the matter with them.

He was commenting on the urging of Suhakam chairman Hasmy Agam asking the Home Ministry to release the 13 individuals, who included six foreigners.  

In the statement Hasmy expressed shock on the ISA detention, saying it was contrary to the government’s intention to abolish the Act.   

The statement went on to call upon all the detainees to be presented in open court, with legal representation.

'Most dangerous'

Hishammuddin described the group of 13 individuals who were detained as most dangerous to the security of this country and the region.

He said the group, including six foreigners, were “not afraid to die” and wanted to become martrys, were most dangerous not only to the people of Malaysia but also the whole Southeast Asian region.

“This group is not afraid to die and they actually want to become martyrs,” he told reporters after attending a gathering at Felda Bukit Tongkat in Kluang today.

The 13 individuals are currently being detained at the detention centre in Tawau.

The minister also disclosed that the operation to detain the 13 individuals was carried out by a police special anti-terrorism unit which also found a large amount of firearms and explosive materials.

He said the quantity of firearms found was substantial and they were from abroad, adding that this showed that this group of individuals was most dangerous.

He also disclosed that the operations carried out by the 13 individuals who were detained involved three countries, but he declined to expose the three countries concerned.

Hishammuddin said the group also used several locations and individuals as their targets.

“It involves three nations and there was a certain country that provided them military training,” he said.

Two days ago, Hishammuddin had said that he had gone to Indonesia to have a closer look at the group’s network in Malaysia and the neighbouring countries.

He said the Home Ministry would go all out against any terrorist activities and did not want the matter to be politicised.

- Bernama