[asia-apec 935] Update on Tian Chua (fwd)

[PAN Asia Pacific]

Dear Friends,

We apologise to those who have been clammering for updates on Tian
Chua. We were not able to give any until now, as there were some
problems with our modem. Somehow it's now sorted out. 

On 30th Nov 1998, Tian Chua was released on bail after being charged
for illegal gathering and failure to disperse. His bond was set at RM
2000 with one surety. As soon as he left the registrar after bail was
posted, he was rearrested immediately and led to a police van. He was
then taken to Petaling Jaya police station and remained there until
his remand hearing on 1 Dec 1998. 

During his remand hearing on 1st Dec 1998, the prosecuting officer
said it was necessary to detain him for further questioning on
suspicion of Sedition Act S4(2) (possession of sedition materials).
Prosecution officer asked for 7 days remand. The magistrate granted
him 5. Tian Chua's lawyers also asked for medication and water to be
delivered to him and a medical checkup, in which the magistrate
agreed. 

Tian Chua's remand will be finished on 5th Dec 1998, Saturday. At
this point, we do not know what course of action the police will be
taking. The possibilities are as follows: (1) further remand up to
9 days; (2) to be charged in court; (3) released on police bail;
(4) under the Internal Security Act (this is if the government
feels Tian Chua constitute a 'threat' to national security). 

Below is a letter that was smuggled out from Tian Chua to his
friends. 


----------------------------------------------------

http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/1577/tianletter2.html

(received by Suaram 1/12/98) 


Dear friends, 

Got into PJ (Petaling Jaya) lock-up about 4:30 pm. Met Nusrat
briefly at the police office, then the SBs quickly took me into the
lock-up. The conditions - cleanliness wise - here are much better,
at least the groud is lined with plankwood, instead of cement as in
Dang Wangi. As soon as I got in, I was greeted by several
'reformasi' people. One of them was Zulkifli, some one I met
earlier in one of the gatherings. There were about 5 of them,
caught in Serdang. I haven't had a chance to speak to them yet. I
was shocked at the extent of the arrest of the 'reformasi' people.
It is obvious that crackdown on the supporters for refom is very
widespread. When I was in the courtroom waiting for the bail, I
also met 2 other Indonesians who were caught in Kampung Baru during
the October demo and had been sitting in Sungai Buloh prison for a
month. 

They said their cells were near to Datuk Nalla. They have another 4
friends who could not be bailed out because of no valid documents.
Here I met another Indonesian who is kept opposite my cell, told me
that when he was in Sg. Buloh prison, he met Anwar and shook his
hand. As a result he was hit by the guard with a stick. But he said
that was worth it because he supported the cause of 'reformasi'. He
had been in Malaysia for 13 years and married with a pregnant wife.
However he would be deported for no valid documents. He said Mahathir
is no different from Suharto; they are both dictators who refuse to
give up power and allow the emergence of new leaders.

"Power would corrupt if it stays in the same hand for too long", he
said. 

The support for change really goes right through to the base of
society. In the lock-ups (here and Dang Wangi), even drug addicts
and robbers talked about corruption of Mahathir regime. They also
talked a lot about justice for Anwar. I tried whenever I can to
interact with all these detainees. It is important to let them see
that 'reformasi' is not something distant from their lives. The
prevailance of justice must also bring fundamental change to these
detainees - whom almost all end up in the lock-ups because they are
poor or powerless. 

The objective of reform, apart from ensuring a just legal process
and enforcement system, is to have social and economic
restructuring. Maybe this still sounds too abstract. I recall the
legal aid system in Australia and UK where people can engage
lawyers and the fees would be paid by legal aid. At least poor
people can get access to good legal services. Malaysian present
Bureau of Legal Aid basically penalizes people who have no
resources. 

Love and regards, 

Tian 

30/11/98, nite. 

<bold>--------------------------------------------------------

ABOLISH I.S.A.! MANSUHKAN I.S.A!


SIGN JUST WORLD'S  

WHITE RIBBON/SIGNATURE

CAMPAIGN FOR JUSTICE!

http://www.jaring.my/just

---------------------------------------------------------

SUARA RAKYAT MALAYSIA (SUARAM)

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