FAC News - Tuesday, June 18, 2002 10:50 PM

Kamunting 6 threaten to boycott the inquiry

Word was received through the solicitors that the Kamunting 6 might consider boycotting the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) public inquiry because it has deviated from what was promised.

A spokesman for the Kamunting 6 – National Justice Party Youth Leader Ezam Mohd Nor, Saari Sungib, Dr Badrulamin Bahron, Lokman Noor Adam, Tian Chua, and Hishamuddin Rais - said that Suhakam promised to hold a public inquiry into the Internal Security Act (ISA) detentions.

“Now, the inquiry is only about the treatment they are receiving and the conditions of their detention,” said the spokesman.

“Why bother to talk about their treatment or conditions of detention?” argued the spokesman. “In the first place, they shouldn’t even be under detention. If they are not being detained, then the issue of their treatment or conditions of detention need not arise.”

“Suhakam should ask whether, in the first place, they should even be under detention. What are the grounds for detaining them? Is their detention justified?”

“Even if they are being detained in the Presidential Suite with servants to attend to their needs, but if they are being locked up for a couple of years and not being allowed to go home with no valid grounds, however well they may be treated is still considered mistreatment.”

“The Kamunting 6 also wants Suhakam to clarify its stand on the ISA. Previously it said it is against the ISA. Now it is only concerned with the treatment and conditions while under detention. Does this mean Suhakam now supports the ISA but only wants ISA detainees to get better treatment?”