[asia-apec 717] SITUATION IN MALAYSIA (Sept 22)

[appasec]

22 Sept 1998

SITUATION IN MALAYSIA
(includes update)

SUARAM is urging all NGOs and individuals to take immediate action on the current situation in Malaysia. 

a) Arrests

As of 10:00 am, 22nd September 1998, there are 12 individuals confirmed detained under the Internal Security Act S 73(1)(A). According to Bukit Aman police headquarters public relations chief, the 12 were arrested because their actions were "prejudicial to the security of the nation". 

The 12 are as follows:

1. Anwar Ibrahim, ex-Deputy Prime Minister
2. Ruslan Kassim, Chief of Negeri Sembilan UMNO Youth
3. Kamaruddin Mat Noor, Semarak state assenblyman
4. Zahid Hamidi, UMNO Youth Chief, MP for Bagan Datoh
5. Ahmad Azam Abdul Rahman, President of ABIM 
6. Mukhtar Redhuan, Deputy President ABIM
7. Shaharuddin Badaruddin, Secretary General ABIM
8. Abdul Halim Ismail, Deputy National President ABIM
9. Kamarudin Jaafar, Chairman of Institute for Policy Research
10. Tamunif Mokhtar, Division Head of Cheras UMNO 
11. Abdul Manan, President of National Muslim Students Association
12. Prof. Dr. Siddiq Baba, Student Affairs Rector of International Islamic University 

Furthermore, S. Nallakarupan, a businessman and ex-Director of Public Relations for Magnum Corporation has been under ISA detention since July, 1998.

A total of 126 persons detained for questioning allegedly for rioting and illegal assembly. Most of these people were arrested from demonstrations outside the Magistrates Court and Dataran Merdeka (Merdeka Square). As of today at noon, they have not been brought to the courts. 


b) Police Violence

Presently Kuala Lumpur is quiet yet tense after police violence yesterday. 


c) The Situation at Anwar’s Home

AFP reports that the police has set up a roadblock outside the home of Anwar Ibrahim. However, it was also reported that that a senior police officer stated that people are still free to go to Anwar’s home. Anwar’s wife, Dr. Wan Azizah was warned not to speak at public rallies and she announced that there would be no more public meetings. 


d) Others

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, in a press conference this afternoon, said that Anwar will appear in court despite his arrest under the Internal Security Act. He stated that "it is not their intention to arrest him under the ISA. However, because of this incitement to violence, they want to get more evidence against him." "But I believe it is their intention to charge him according to the normal process."


WHAT YOU CAN DO

SUARAM urges you to protest and take immediate action by writing letters or faxing to the appropriate authorities. We suggest that you include the following demands:

n To immediately and unconditionally release all ISA detainees or charge them in court, 
n To condemn the use of the ISA on legitimate expressions of dissent; 
n To condemn and urge for the immediate halt in excessive use of police force which had resulted only in violence;
n To release all those arrested in the streets immediately or charge them immediately;
n To ensure that there will be no further political crackdown on supporters of the Reformation movement, opposition parties and NGO activists;


Please 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