SHAH ALAM, 30 Apr: The detention of 10 Malaysians who were allegedly involved in militant activities is just to show the U.S. that Malaysia supposedly has a way to address militant issues.
The former Chairman of the Abolish ISA Movement (GMI), Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh, said that the same thing happened in 1996, when the U.S. President at the time, Lyndon Johnson, went back to the U.S. after a visit to Malaysia.
“This time, with Obama’s (Barack Obama) presence, again this took place to allegedly prove that Malaysia has a way to address militant issues, when there was no concrete evidence on their involvement,” he said, taken from Harakah Daily.
Syed Ibrahim said that the move by the government to detain and charge them under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012, also reiterates the series of tyranny, like the ISA, which was repealed.
He said that the act, known as SOSMA, is much like the ISA, which was abolished by the government previously, despite providing the opportunity for detainees to defend themselves.
“It looks like SOSMA is better because there is a trial and room for defence. However, it may be worse compared to the ISA because there has been continued detention under the Act,” he said.
He said that a person detained under SOSMA can be tried after 28 days of detention. However, before that, they can be taken to court or monitoring devices will be placed on them to facilitate detection.
“If the court releases them, the government can continue to make an appeal. During the appeal, they will continue to be detained. This is what is said to be continued detention,” Syed Ibrahim, who is also the Vice President of IKRAM, said.
Syed Ibrahim said that if this was a normal case, a person can be granted bail and released while the appeal is heard.
He said that he was informed that several human rights bodies have played a role regarding this issue.
“There are a number of human rights bodies looking into the issue, including lawyers. Because the ISA has been abolished, the GMI was also abolished.
“However, I am ready to be called upon to continue the campaign against existing draconian acts,” he said.
