Ex-Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee Saari Sungib has told the KL High Court today that his interrogation during detention had been focussed on his political activities, and nothing to do with his grounds of arrest.

Although he had been detained in relation to then inspector-general of police Norian Mai’s statement in 2001 that he was attempting to overthrow the government through violent means, the reformasi activist testified today that he had during his detention been questioned on his political activities instead.

NONESaari (right) told the court that he was questioned only once on the matter throughout his two years in Kamunting and 54 day initial detention period, which began on April 10, 2001.

In addition, he was not told of his grounds of arrest until he was transferred to Kamunting.

He and several others had been accused of attempting to obtain explosives and to recruit the help of silat instructors to topple the government.

Saari also testified that he had been told by investigators to write an essay to the director of the police special branch explaining why he did not side with Umno.

Gagged from telling Suhakam

In addition, he claimed that he had been subject to mental and physical abuse during his detention, such as being forced to walk barefoot on hot, rocky surfaces and being interrogated in an air-conditioned room without warm clothing.

He was detained on April 10, 2001 just four days prior to a rally he organised to commemorate the second year of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's conviction for abuse of power.

Under cross-examination, counsel Azizan Md Arshad asked why Saari did not alert the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) of his alleged ill-treatment during their prison visits if it had been an issue.

“I had been repeatedly told not to speak about the prison’s conditions and the interrogation,” he told the presiding judge Lau Bee Lan.

When the defence suggested that Saari had decided not to inform the commission, he replied, “Yes, but under duress.”

Later, Azizan suggested that Saari was not intentionally tortured, but the situation merely reflected the infrastructure available at the prison.

Ping-pong game with interrogators

He added that Saari’s claim of ill-treatment does not hold weight because he was allowed to see a doctor, his family, Suhakam representatives and even played ping-pong with his interrogators.

Saari, now the Selangor assemblyperson for Hulu Kelang, is one of five plaintiffs in a civil suit seeking a declaration that Section 8 and Section 73 of the ISA is unconstitutional, with a demand for an unspecified sum as compensation.

Section 8 empowers the home minister to order a detention without trial for up to two years and can renewed indefinitely, whereas Section 73 allows a police officer to do the same – depending on rank – for up to 60 days.

Saari is one of five plaintiffs in the suit. The other four are Hishamuddin Rais, Badarudin Ismail, Badrulamin Baharom and Chua Tian Chang, better known as Tian Chua.

They are also seeking compensation from the former IGP Norian Mai for defaming them by implying that they were terrorists.

The suit originally had three other plaintiffs Mohd Ezam Mohd Noor, Abdul Ghani Haroon and N Gobalakrishnan. However, the trio had dropped out of the case by the time the hearings commenced today.

Then Home Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and the Malaysian government are named respondents along with Norian.

Saari’s cross-examination will continue tomorrow morning.