FAC News - Tuesday, December 18, 2001 8:31 AM

ISA families appeal for funds

It is now nine months since the first arrests under the Internal Security Act in April 2001 and five of the original ten arrested are still under detention in Kamunting. And it is costing the families a lot of money to visit them and fight for their release and the families are finding it extremely difficult to make ends meet.

"The families have to visit them every week," said Animah Ferrarr, one of the coordinators of the funds raised to help the families. "This costs money such as to pay for petrol and toll charges."

"Then there are the legal costs involved," added Animah. "We are still pursuing with the application for Habeas Corpus and have to pay the filing and court costs and so on. Then the lawyers too have to make regular trips to Kamunting to meet the detainees to discuss the case, get them to sign documents, or whatever. To be fair, the lawyers need to be reimbursed for their expenses as they are not making any money on these ISA cases."

"We are down to our last one thousand Ringgit. We need members of the public to come forward and assist with some donations. Therefore, on behalf of the committee, I appeal to the public to donate to our fund and help keep the fight to secure the release of the last five detainees going."

Those who wish to donate to the ISA detainees’ fund can send the money to:

Bank Islam Malaysian Berhad (BIMB)

Account number: 12113010009151

Parti Keadilan Nasional – Tabung ISA