DAP national chairperson Lim Kit Siang today denounced the government for practising double standards in interpreting what is sub judice when it comes to the detention of the seven reformasi activists under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

Parliament deputy speaker Muhamad Abdullah's dismissal of the motion in chambers to debate the matter - on the grounds of sub judice - has put the legislative body's credibility at stake, said Lim in a press statement.

"Muhamad's rejection of the motion has made parliament a joke, a laughing stock and a national irrelevance," he said.

Contrary to the restraints in parliament, top leaders in the government, however, did not reserve their opinions on the arrests, even after five of the detainees had filed their habeas corpus applications in court, added Lim.

"Since the filing of the applications, not a day passes without the prime minister, his deputy or other cabinet ministers making the most adverse comments about the ISA detainees," he said.

Last week, six Keadilan leaders and a social activist were detained under the ISA for allegedly planning to overthrow the government via militant tactics.

Lawyers of five of the seven detainees filed habeas corpus applications at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Thursday seeking for their immediate release.

Shot down

Yesterday, PAS MP for Pokok Sena, Mahfuz Omar raised an urgent motion to discuss the ISA arrests, but it was shot down by the deputy speaker, who claimed that any comments on a legal case still being considered by a court of law could "prejudice the interests of the parties".

However, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad was reported to have said on Friday that the ISA was used against the seven to prevent an outbreak of violence. Two days later, he labelled the detainees as "instigators", saying that their arrests had hampered the planned mass 'Black 14' demonstration on Saturday.

In his statement, Lim also challenged the Attorney-General (AG) to put the government leaders on trial as their statements on the ISA crackdown have affected the interests of the detainees.

He added the leaders must be instructed to stop making remarks about the ISA seven, even if they are not going to be tried in court.

Contempt proceedings

"Such wild, baseless and unsubstantiated allegations against the detainees by various government leaders since last Thursday constitute sub judice and therefore they are an obstruction of the administration of justice.

"Will the AG initiate contempt proceedings against the top government leaders or at least issue an admonition to tell them to stop making adverse comments until the disposal of the habeas corpus writs?" he questioned.

Lim also urged parliament speaker Mohamad Zahir Ismail to review the 'arbitrary' refusal of the urgent motion.

The refusal was a result of the amendments to the rules of parliament proceedings three years ago, he explained, adding that the amendments created more room for abuse of power and serious infringement of the MPs' rights.

"The amendments to the Standing Orders of Parliament in 1998 empowered the speaker to reject any motion to debate a matter of urgency and definite public importance. Such powers are open to abuse," said Lim.

"The evils of such amendments are fully evident now. An MP cannot even stand up in parliament to move a motion to adjourn its proceedings to debate urgent matters, which is allowed for in commonwealth parliaments," he added.