FAC News - Tuesday, January 22, 2002 9:05 AM

Saifuddin Nasution joins the ISA detainees’ hunger strike

Yesterday, Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, the National Justice Party Deputy Youth Leader and Lunas State Assemblyman, joined the hunger strike launched by the five ISA detainees in Kamunting.

"I met two of the detainees – Ezam Mohd Nor and Tian Chua - at the Sungai Petani Court yesterday," said Saifuddin, "And I told them I have joined them in their hunger strike."

"But I am not embarking on a total hunger strike," explained Saifuddin. "I am going on a fast."

"My wife has also joined me in the fast," added Saifuddin. "And we will continue with the fast until Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s appeal hearing is over."

"If, again, they postpone the date of Anwar’s appeal, then my wife and I would of course continue with our fast. We will not end our fast until such time as the appeal hearing is over."

The Director of the International Free Anwar Campaign, Raja Petra Kamarudin, also started his hunger strike today. He will survive on a glass of plain water and four pieces of dates a day until such time as his health deteriorates and the doctors advise him to change his diet.

It is expected that more Reformasi supporters would join the hunger strike over the next few days, some even opting for a total hunger strike rather than fast.