FAC News - 19 June 2001

Ezam and Tian Chua condemned Mahathir's 'political hooliganism'

Ezam Mohd. Noor and Tian Chua, the imprisoned leaders of keADILan were in good spirit, told their lawyers today. They were seen for the first time in public since April when they were detained without trial under the draconian Internal Security Act which allows detention without trial.

Home Minister Abdullah Badawi ordered their detention to be prolonged for another two years, which sparked global condemnation. Human rights activists protested in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, London, Sydney and Hong Kong urging the authority to charge them in court or release them unconditionally.

Ezam Mohd. Noor and Tian Chua are joined by four other keADILan leaders in the worst clampdown against opposition leaders since Anwar Ibrahim was taken into custody in 1998 after his sacking. The two-year sentence is renewable indefinitely, making ISA one of the worst legislation ever to have been passed by the Malaysian parliament.

In a joint statement made outside a court where they were tried for different charges, Tian Chua and Ezam Mohd. Noor reminded the people not to be intimidated by Mahathir's hooliganism and culture of fear. They urged the people to resist the culture of fear and continue fighting for a free and just Malaysia.

"This political hooliganism will end if the people take up the challenge to oust Mahathir," they said.

They also offered comfort to the public, reassuring them that they are in high spirit and good health.

"Detention and persecution is part and parcel of this struggle, we must be ready to sacrifice," said Ezam while holding his two children.

Ezam and Tian also vowed to remain loyal to the struggle for political and economic reforms in Malaysia. They quoted Anwar Ibrahim's words before he was detained which have become a battlecry among opposition supporters - 'Lawan Tetap Lawan' meaning 'The fight must go on'.

"We call upon the people of all races and religions to join hands in our struggle, we will see this through until Mahathir Mohamad is finally ousted."

Earlier, a magistrate judge ordered Ezam and Tian Chua not to be detained in a local police lock up on grounds that they are not criminals, but political prisoners. The ruling is considered a moral victory for both of them, who maintained that charges against them were trumped up and intended to silence them.

So far the police has not produced a single evidence of their alleged involvement in a 'militant group' to topple Mahathir.