[asia-apec 710] Situation in Malaysia (Sept 24)

[appasec]

UPDATE 2: 24th September 1998 

SITUATION IN MALAYSIA
(includes updates and corrections)

SUARAM is urging all NGOs and individuals to take immediate action on the current situation in Malaysia. We suggest that you email or fax copies of your protest letters to SUARAM, as well as letters of support for families of the ISA detainees, especially for the wife and children of former Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim because of the intense intimidation, harassment and harsh conditions imposed on her. We will be able to pass her your letters. 


a) Arrests

i) There have been an additional 3 people detained under the Internal Security Act S 73(1)(A), making the total number of ISA detainees 15 to date. 

The latest detainees are as follows:

1.Ahmad Shabrini Md. Sidek, Sec-Gen of the National Muslim Students Association
2.Asma’on Ismail, State Assemblymen for Panti 
3.Dr. Zamri Abdul Kadir, UMNO Youth Head of Lumut

ii) Also, the correct name for 
*Abdul Manan, President of National Muslim Students Association*

should be:
Amidi Abdul Manan, President of National Muslim Students Association

iii) The 126 people arrested during the protest outside the court has been released on police bail. 


b) Police Violence

Police arrested two men (names unknown) at the courts, while over 200 people waited for the arrival of Anwar Ibrahim. He didn’t show up in the end. When his wife left the court house to continue giving her statement to the police, one young man was arrested while the crowd shouted "reformasi". The other was arrested around the time the courts were close; he allegedly insulted OCPD Zainal. 


c) The Situation at Anwar’s Home

i) Dr. Wan Azizah, wife of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was summoned to give a police witness statement for the police to investigate her claims regarding the well-being of Anwar for a CNBC news programme. She is being investigated under the Sedition Act S 4(1). 

ii) She was also served on 23rd Sept, 1720 hours, an order under the Internal Security Act, in which she has been forbidden to have gatherings at her home, to speak at public rallies or be involved in ‘political’ activities. Visitors have been barred from entering her home with the exception of close relatives, lawyers and press with signed invitations from Dr. Wan Azizah. There are police roadblocks set up in the two roads leading to the house and armed police guard both gates of the house. 


d) Others

i) Eight lawyers involved in the Anwar Ibrahim case have been summoned as well to give witness statements to the police. This means that these 8 lawyers may not be able to serve as Anwar's legal counsels if the police decides that these lawyers has to testify for the police. 
ii) CNN news report at 1 am Malaysian time on Anwar was censored on television. 

(note: Because there has been a lot of rumours circulating inside and outside Malaysia, SUARAM has been tasked to verify all information that it receives and disseminate whatever that can be confirmed. Thus it takes time to do the update. We hope you will be patient and please give any suggestions that you think may improve our work.)


WHAT YOU CAN DO

SUARAM urges you to continue to protest and take immediate action by writing letters or faxing to the appropriate authorities. We suggest that you include the following demands:
· To immediately and unconditionally release all ISA detainees or charge them in court, 
· To condemn the use of the ISA on legitimate expressions of dissent; 
· To condemn and urge for the immediate halt in excessive use of police force which had resulted only in violence;
· To release all those arrested in the streets immediately or charge them immediately;
· To ensure that there will be no further political crackdown on supporters of the Reformation movement, opposition parties and NGO activists;

Please continue to send your appeals to the following people:

Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohammad
Prime Minister’s Department
Jalan Dato Onn
50502 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Fax: 60-3-2984172, 2383784

Datuk Mokhtar Abdullah
Attorney General’s Chambers
Jabatan Peguam Negara Malaysia,
Tingkat 20, Bangunan Bank Negara Malaysia
Jalan Tangsi,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Fax: 60-3-2984172

Tan Sri Rahim Noor,
Inspector-General of Police
Ibu Pejabat Polis Persekutuan,
Bukit Aman,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Fax: 603-2910707

Please also send your protest to your diplomatic representative of Malaysia accredited to your country. 
Please send copies to SUARAM office for our documentation.



On the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the 
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, please urge our
Malaysian government to ratify the International Covenant 
on Civil and Political Rights, and the International 
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. 
---------------------------------------------------------
SUARA RAKYAT MALAYSIA (SUARAM)
struggling for human rights in Malaysia

add: 11, Jalan 1A/71E, Jalan Carey, 
46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
tel: 60-3-7943525 fax: 7943526
email: suaram at geocities.com, wkpeng at pc.jaring.my
website:http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Lobby/1577