Thursday, 18-Oct-2001 12:57 AM

17 October 2001
Press Statement

The Internal Security Act (ISA) Must Not Be Justified as "Fighting Terrorism" in Malaysia

At the end of the week-long APEC meeting, which began in Shanghai last Monday, delegates are expected to sign a declaration formulated by the US, pledging their collaboration in global anti-terrorism efforts. The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dr. Mahathir Mohamad is reported to seek a meeting with President Bush on his counter-terrorism proposals.

"In any event, the draconian Internal Security Act (ISA) in Malaysia, which allows for indefinite detention without trials, cannot be justified," said Suaram, a leading human rights organisation in Malaysia. Dr. Mahathir has justified the use of the ISA in Malaysia on grounds of fighting terrorism, after the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States.

According to a report of Far Eastern Economic Review in July, Malaysia's Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Syed Albar had asked about a possible meeting between Bush and Mahathir at the APEC meeting in Shanghai when he was in Washington in July. It was reported US Secretary of State Colin Powell had told Syed Hamid on July 16 that bilateral ties hinged on three major concerns.

The three issues were the Malaysian government's treatment of jailed politician Anwar Ibrahim, release of the political detainees held under the ISA and unexplained delays in the regular publication release of at least two foreign based news magazines.

Suaram said that civil liberties of the people have been the latest casualties, especially in the third world countries such as Malaysia following the terrorist attacks on World Trade Center and Pentagon in the United States. In the latest round of ISA arrests, six more people, alleged to be members of Islamic militant group, Malaysia Mujahidin Group, were arrested on 10 October 2001. This brings the total of recent ISA arrests, since April this year, to 30.

Human Rights Watch has identified Malaysian government as one of the countries that takes the opportunity to increase repression on its civil society in the name of anti-terrorism.

"The ultimate goal of the United States should be defending democracy. It is precisely the lack of democracy and human rights in a repressive society that allows for acts of terrorism. Repressive laws such as ISA could not guarantee long lasting human security and social stability", Suaram said.

Suaram calls on the United States and all the delegates to the APEC meeting to adhere to principles of democracy and human rights in their efforts to counter terrorism in the world, and urges the United States not to compromise on the three issues, concerning the rights of political detainees, raised with the Malaysian government in July.
Released by:
 
Yap Swee Seng
Coordinator
Suaram
383, Jalan 5/59, Petaling Garden,
46000 Petaling Jaya,
Malaysia
Tel: 603-77843525
Fax: 603-77843526
Email: wkpeng@pc.jaring.my