Three DAP Members of Parliament (MPs) today reiterated their calls for the release of 12 individuals detained over alleged links to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), ahead of the Deepavali celebration on Oct 27.
Among the 12 arrested under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma), four are from DAP.
Klang MP Charles Santiago said he was deeply saddened after watching a video clip that has since gone viral, of the wives of the detainees staging a hunger strike at the Bukit Aman Police Headquarters.
“I watched the video a few times and it breaks my heart to see them sitting on a pavement, demanding justice,” he said in a statement today.
Charles again bemoaned their detention under Sosma, which he said is “an archaic law that allows for detention without trial, which Pakatan Harapan promised to repeal once it comes to power”.
Pakatan Harapan had promised to abolish draconian provisions in Sosma in pledge 27 of its GE14 manifesto.
“My argument is simple – charge the men in an open court or release them immediately. After all, haven’t the police and Home Minister, Muhyiddin Yassin, repeatedly said they have concrete evidence to detain the 12 men?”
Batu Kawan MP, Kashturi Patto echoed Charles’ sentiments, saying: “The video tugs at my heartstrings. It reminds me of what more than 100 families went through with the Operation Lalang dragnet 32 years ago.”
“‘Detain and investigate later’ is certainly a heavy-handed, and oppressive method that was also used when the Internal Security Act (ISA) was in effect before its abolition in 2012. This sort of modus operandi must never be brought to life, let alone exist in a Malaysia Baru, under Pakatan Harapan,” said Kasthuri who is also a member of Special Select Committee for Human Rights and Gender Equality.
“There are other criminal laws and acts that these men can be tried under. But to use Sosma on them is simply unacceptable and an infringement to their fundamental rights and liberties,” she said.
Kasthuri said the Deepavali celebrations this year would not be complete for Pakatan Harapan, as their comrades were behind bars.
“We from Wanita DAP stand in solidarity with the wives, mothers, children and families of the detained under this draconian Sosma,” added Kashturi.
Earlier this week, IGP Abdul Hamid Hamid said that investigations were “speeding up” but could not promise any releases before this Sunday, stressing that arrests had been done on grounds of “national security”.
Teluk Intan MP Nga Kor Ming appealed to Hamid to expedite the probe and either charge or release the suspects.
“Police should have completed the investigation by now and release the detainees (who were arrested) regarding the LTTE issue.
“We appreciate and respect the police’s effort in combating terrorism…if the police are really convinced there is solid evidence against the detainees, the suspects should be brought to court for a fair trial and at least be given a chance to defend themselves.
“I personally appeal to the IGP to complete the police investigation now and release the detainees under Sosma so that they can return home to celebrate Deepavali with their family,” he said in a separate statement.
“Since 1966, DAP has always been against all forms of terrorism and violence,” the Perak DAP chief stressed.
In the latest development, all the 12 detainees will be allowed to see their families for Deepavali.
The IGP said only close family members of the 12 individuals, including two assemblymen, one each from Negri Sembilan and Melaka, can come to the detention centre to see them.
“Police will allow close family members to see the detainees for Deepavali. They can do so by coming to the detention centre where the detainees are currently held,” Hamid told reporters when met after Friday prayer at Bukit Aman Mosque today.
The IGP, however, did not disclose to the media the exact location of the detention centre.