Suhakam plans to visit ISA duo
S PathmawathyPublished: Sep 16, 2008 11:05 AM | Updated: Sep 16, 2008 11:14 AM
The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) is planning to visit Internal Security Act detainees DAP MP Teresa Kok and controversial blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin on Friday.
The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) is planning to visit Internal Security Act detainees DAP MP Teresa Kok and controversial blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin on Friday.
Speaking at a press conference at the commission headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today, commissioner N Siva Subramaniam said the decision to visit the detainees was prompted by a news report which quoted Kok’s parents as saying that their daughter was suffering from diarrhoea due to unhygienic food.
Furthermore, he asserted that Suhakam condemned the arrests and reiterated that the security law should be abolished.
"This act is no longer practical… laws can be used for 10 years or so but laws that are over 100 years old must be reviewed to adapt with recent times," said Siva.
"We hope we will be able to visit (the detainees) on Friday… we will be looking into their welfare whether it is in accordance with basic human rights," added the commissioner after a close door roundtable discussion on legal empowerment of the poor.
Siva said Suhakam went on its regular visit to the Kamunting Detention Centre in Taiping, Perak yesterday to check out the condition of the centre and reported that the living conditions are acceptable.
However, he said that the state of the current 62 ISA detainees is pitiful as some of them have been put away for a long time and desired nothing more than freedom.
Commissioner Denison Jayasooria then quipped that in light of 'Malaysia Day' it would be Suhakam's wish come true if Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi would announce the freedom of all those detained under ISA.
Also present at the close door session was Suhakam vice-chairperson Simon Sipaun and Sarawak-based commissioner Dr Hirman Ritom Abdullah.
No response to 2003 recommendation
Sipaun also reiterated that the human rights commission absolutely abhors the ISA as it is 'subjective' and leaves no room for those who are detained to defend themselves for the crime that they had allegedly committed.
"By any standards - including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - this law is definitely against the spirits and intentions of human rights," said Sipaun.
Moreover, the vice-chair added that Suhakam had submitted a 'Review of the Internal Security Act 1960' in 2003 but till this day the commission has not received any response from the government.
"Unfortunately up to now, since the recommendation was first submitted, it remains a recommendation, much to our disappointment," he lamented.
The law, Sipaun said, was meant to halt communist insurgencies but now although the insurgencies have long been resolved, unfortunately the ISA over the years has been strengthened.
"I think the main emphasis that Suhakam would like to put across is that - if the government thinks that a person has committed any form of crime, then he or she should be subjected to open trial.
"I personally don't think and believe the police should have the power, because then we become a police state in my view," said Sipaun.
Sipaun also commended Law Minister Zaid Ibrahim for resigning in protest of the use of ISA.
"I am somewhat comforted that there is no agreement amongst some cabinet members on this matter… at least there is some light at the end of the tunnel," said Sipaun.
However, when asked whether Suhakam will follow the law minister's lead in resigning in remonstration of the arrest, the commissioners laughed the matter off.
"What we need are more ministers like Zaid… at least he has got principles and how many ministers will do that?" he asked.
Speaking at a press conference at the commission headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today, commissioner N Siva Subramaniam said the decision to visit the detainees was prompted by a news report which quoted Kok’s parents as saying that their daughter was suffering from diarrhoea due to unhygienic food.Furthermore, he asserted that Suhakam condemned the arrests and reiterated that the security law should be abolished.
"This act is no longer practical… laws can be used for 10 years or so but laws that are over 100 years old must be reviewed to adapt with recent times," said Siva.
"We hope we will be able to visit (the detainees) on Friday… we will be looking into their welfare whether it is in accordance with basic human rights," added the commissioner after a close door roundtable discussion on legal empowerment of the poor.Siva said Suhakam went on its regular visit to the Kamunting Detention Centre in Taiping, Perak yesterday to check out the condition of the centre and reported that the living conditions are acceptable.
However, he said that the state of the current 62 ISA detainees is pitiful as some of them have been put away for a long time and desired nothing more than freedom.
Commissioner Denison Jayasooria then quipped that in light of 'Malaysia Day' it would be Suhakam's wish come true if Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi would announce the freedom of all those detained under ISA.
Also present at the close door session was Suhakam vice-chairperson Simon Sipaun and Sarawak-based commissioner Dr Hirman Ritom Abdullah.
No response to 2003 recommendation
Sipaun also reiterated that the human rights commission absolutely abhors the ISA as it is 'subjective' and leaves no room for those who are detained to defend themselves for the crime that they had allegedly committed.
"By any standards - including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - this law is definitely against the spirits and intentions of human rights," said Sipaun.Moreover, the vice-chair added that Suhakam had submitted a 'Review of the Internal Security Act 1960' in 2003 but till this day the commission has not received any response from the government.
"Unfortunately up to now, since the recommendation was first submitted, it remains a recommendation, much to our disappointment," he lamented.
The law, Sipaun said, was meant to halt communist insurgencies but now although the insurgencies have long been resolved, unfortunately the ISA over the years has been strengthened.
"I think the main emphasis that Suhakam would like to put across is that - if the government thinks that a person has committed any form of crime, then he or she should be subjected to open trial.
"I personally don't think and believe the police should have the power, because then we become a police state in my view," said Sipaun.
Sipaun also commended Law Minister Zaid Ibrahim for resigning in protest of the use of ISA.
"I am somewhat comforted that there is no agreement amongst some cabinet members on this matter… at least there is some light at the end of the tunnel," said Sipaun.
However, when asked whether Suhakam will follow the law minister's lead in resigning in remonstration of the arrest, the commissioners laughed the matter off.
"What we need are more ministers like Zaid… at least he has got principles and how many ministers will do that?" he asked.
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