ISA detainees assault: Suhakam yet to decide on public inquiry
Beh Lih YiPublished: Jan 10, 2005 7:02 PM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 6:21 PM
The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has yet to make a decision on whether to hold a public inquiry into the assault claim made by 20 Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees last month.
Commissioner Prof Hamdan Adnan argues that more information must be gathered before a consensus can be reached on the matter.
The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has yet to make a decision on whether to hold a public inquiry into the assault claim made by 20 Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees last month.
Its commissioner Prof Hamdan Adnan today said more information must be gathered before a consensus can be reached on the matter.
"There is no definite yes or no (to the public inquiry) as of right now, we need more information. We are investigating anyway, just that this is a regular inquiry but a public inquiry is open to public," he added after attending the commission's monthly meeting.
The three-hour long meeting held at the commission's headquarters in Kuala Lumpur was chaired by its chairperson Abu Talib Othman.
Suhakam's complaints and inquiries working group led by Hamdan had recommended that a public inquiry be held.
A public inquiry has to obtain at least two-third endorsements by the 17 Suhakam commissioners.
Second visit
On the next course of action, Hamdan said he and two other commissioners, N Siva Subramaniam and Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, will pay a second visit to the Kamunting detention camp in Perak on Thursday.
He said they will check on the latest condition of the allegedly assaulted detainees and visit the Taiping police station to obtain the police's findings into the case.
"We have just got the latest report from the wives saying that their husbands' condition have gone from bad to worse," he added.
Among the complaints, were that Kamunting authorities are 'purposely disturbing' the detainees and there have been more conditions imposed during family visits which are closely monitored.
Taiping police chief Mohd Amin Abdullah when contacted today refused to elaborate on the status of their investigation. Six reports were filed on the alleged assault.
Previously, Suhakam said it would wait for the police investigation before deciding to launch a probe.
However, Hamdan said police investigation is slow and therefore the commission will seek the intervention of the Bukit Aman federal police headquarters.
The detainees' families and the Abolish ISA Movement (AIM) have repeatedly urged the public to lobby Suhakam to hold a public inquiry.
Responding to this, Hamdan said the commission must "work within the framework" in deciding to hold a public inquiry and would not succumb to public pressure.
"They could have a lot to ask for but we shouldn't be made a tool of other groups. They (the detainees) are alleged terrorist and are being held indefinitely, so they must make sure there is publicity (about them) in order not to be forgotten," he added.
AIM's response
Meanwhile, AIM expressed disappointment that no decision was made over the public inquiry at Suhakam's monthly meet.
Its secretary Chang Lih Kang reiterated the need for the public inquiry since it involved serious allegations.
"The inquiry must be made public because it is a public interest case," he added responding to Hamdan's "regular inquiry" remark.
On Dec 8, 12 detainees claimed to have been assaulted during a 'spot check'. The next day, eight others made a similar claim.
The detainees alleged that they were handcuffed and beaten up by prison security personnel armed with batons and shields. They also said their hair and beard were shaved off.
However, the official version was that the incident occurred after the detainees prevented some 70 officers from conducting the spot check, after which the detainees were said to have retaliated.
Its commissioner Prof Hamdan Adnan today said more information must be gathered before a consensus can be reached on the matter."There is no definite yes or no (to the public inquiry) as of right now, we need more information. We are investigating anyway, just that this is a regular inquiry but a public inquiry is open to public," he added after attending the commission's monthly meeting.
The three-hour long meeting held at the commission's headquarters in Kuala Lumpur was chaired by its chairperson Abu Talib Othman.
Suhakam's complaints and inquiries working group led by Hamdan had recommended that a public inquiry be held.
A public inquiry has to obtain at least two-third endorsements by the 17 Suhakam commissioners.
Second visit
On the next course of action, Hamdan said he and two other commissioners, N Siva Subramaniam and Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, will pay a second visit to the Kamunting detention camp in Perak on Thursday.
He said they will check on the latest condition of the allegedly assaulted detainees and visit the Taiping police station to obtain the police's findings into the case.
"We have just got the latest report from the wives saying that their husbands' condition have gone from bad to worse," he added.
Among the complaints, were that Kamunting authorities are 'purposely disturbing' the detainees and there have been more conditions imposed during family visits which are closely monitored.
Taiping police chief Mohd Amin Abdullah when contacted today refused to elaborate on the status of their investigation. Six reports were filed on the alleged assault.
Previously, Suhakam said it would wait for the police investigation before deciding to launch a probe.
However, Hamdan said police investigation is slow and therefore the commission will seek the intervention of the Bukit Aman federal police headquarters.
The detainees' families and the Abolish ISA Movement (AIM) have repeatedly urged the public to lobby Suhakam to hold a public inquiry. Responding to this, Hamdan said the commission must "work within the framework" in deciding to hold a public inquiry and would not succumb to public pressure.
"They could have a lot to ask for but we shouldn't be made a tool of other groups. They (the detainees) are alleged terrorist and are being held indefinitely, so they must make sure there is publicity (about them) in order not to be forgotten," he added.
AIM's response
Meanwhile, AIM expressed disappointment that no decision was made over the public inquiry at Suhakam's monthly meet.
Its secretary Chang Lih Kang reiterated the need for the public inquiry since it involved serious allegations.
"The inquiry must be made public because it is a public interest case," he added responding to Hamdan's "regular inquiry" remark.
On Dec 8, 12 detainees claimed to have been assaulted during a 'spot check'. The next day, eight others made a similar claim.
The detainees alleged that they were handcuffed and beaten up by prison security personnel armed with batons and shields. They also said their hair and beard were shaved off.
However, the official version was that the incident occurred after the detainees prevented some 70 officers from conducting the spot check, after which the detainees were said to have retaliated.
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