Tuan Manogaran a/l Marimuthu [Telok Intan] minta MENTERI DALAM NEGERI menyatakan:-
(a)Berapakah tahanan di bawah Ordinan Darurat (emergency ordinance) setakat atau pada 30 Jun 2009; dan
(b)Adakah Kerajaan bercadang untuk melepaskan mereka atau membawa tuduhan terhadap mereka di Mahkamah.
Jawapan:
Tuan Yang Dipertua,
Saya mengucapkan terima kasih kepada Yang Berhormat Telok Intan yang mengemukakan soalan.
Untuk makluman ahli Yang Berhormat, bilangan tahanan di bawah Ordinan Darurat (Ketenteraman Awam dan Mencegah Jenayah) 1969 setakat atau pada 30 Jun 2009 adalah seramai 971 orang.
Ordinan Darurat (KAMJ) 1969 adalah merupakan undang-undang pencegahan yang berbentuk pemulihan (rehabilitative) dan bukannya berbentuk hukuman (punitive). Kerajaan akan membebaskan mana-mana orang tahanan yang telah menjalani proses pemulihan serta telah mencapai tahap yang ditetapkan.
Semasa menjalani tempoh tahnan, orang tahanan akan mengikuti program pemulihan yang dijalankan oleh agensi-agensi berkaitan dan mereka akan dinilai tahap pemulihan yang telah dicapai. Sehubungan dengan itu, pembebasan terhadap orang Tahanan akan diputuskan dengan mengambil kira syor daripada pelbagai pihak seperti Lembaga Penasihat, Jabatan Perdana Menteri (JPM), Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM), Jabatan Penjara Malaysia, Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat dan Unit Pemulihan, Kementerian Dalam Negeri, bagi menilai sama ada seseorang itu telah insaf, atau mencapai tahap pemulihan yang ditetapkan.
Untuk makluman ahli Yang Berhormat juga, Kerajaan tidak mendakwa orang-orang tahanan tersebut di mahkamah terbuka memandangkan Ordinan Darurat 1969 adalah merupakan undang-undang pencegahan di bawah kuasa eksekutif Menteri Dalam Negeri yang bertujuan untuk mencegah seseorang dari melakukan kegiatan jenayah yang boleh memudaratkan ketenteraman awam.
WHEN Norlaila Othman, who had been living without her husband for over seven years, received a phone call at 5.45pm yesterday, she had no idea who could be on the other end.
“It was my husband calling to say that he was outside our house with a policeman. I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard it.
“It was more than a surprise, it was like a dream. There had never been any prior news or indication by the authorities that he would be released today (yesterday),” said the former primary school English language teacher, affectionately known as Cikgu Laila.
“As I am currently away for work in Sabah with my son, I asked my husband if he would prefer to stay with his father or with my sister, who lives near our home in Taman Keramat.
“He chose to stay the night at his father’s in Kampung Pandan. If I had known earlier about his release, I would have made the necessary plans to welcome him upon his homecoming.”
Her husband, Mat Sah Mohd Satray, was among five Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) suspects released from detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA) yesterday. He had been detained for seven years and five months at the detention camp in Kamunting, Taiping.
Norlaila described her husband’s release as “a good surprise”. Nevertheless, she feels there will still be plenty of challenges ahead for Mat Sah as well as for her family to get back to normalcy after all these years apart.
“My son was happy when he heard the news but I can see that this is also a dilemma for him.” Mat Sah and Norlaila’s only son, Suhaib, is aged 16.
“He kept asking me questions like, ‘How is Abah going to treat me? Will he be nice to me?’ and ‘How will I communicate with Abah’?
“He had been separated from his father before he even turned nine, so he was unable to enjoy the father-and-son bond like others could,” explained Norlaila.
“He even asked me where he will sit in my car. It used to be only the two of us for the last seven years. I drove and he would sit at the front.
“Now that his father is back, he will have to take the back seat. These are simple things but they trouble him and I don’t blame him. It’s like trying to get used to a father, who is a ‘stranger’ newly joining us in our lives.”
Norlaila also expects there may be difficulties for Mat Sah in going back to work. However, she feels that they will be able to cope as she is currently working on a freelance basis for the Anti-ISA Movement (Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA) as a member of its working committee, having taken two years’ leave from her teaching job.
“I advised my husband to be patient with whatever hardships that may arise and that we must pray to God for something to sustain ourselves. We must be prepared.”
Norlaila to continue activist work
HER husband may have been released from detention yesterday, but as far as Anti-ISA Movement (Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA) committee member Norlaila Othman is concerned, her days as an activist are far from over.
“I’m not doing this activist work only for him. I’m also doing this for everyone, all the people who shouldn’t be detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA),” she said.
Her husband, Mat Sah Mohd Satray, was among five Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) suspects released from detention under the ISA yesterday. He had been detained for seven years and five months at the detention camp in Kamunting, Taiping.
“My role in the movement is to educate the people on their rights and their freedom. I hold to the principle that one is innocent until proven otherwise.
“Those detained under the ISA were put under lock-and-key without a fair trial. They do not go through the proper channels through the courts like normal people do.
“They’re not given any explanation for their detention or shown proof of their wrongdoings. They do not have access to legal aid or given room for appeal. This is why people don’t agree with the ISA.”
When asked if she felt there was a necessity for such an Act when dealing with high-risk persons, such as in the case of terrorist Mas Selamat Kastari of Singapore, who is currently also under detention, Norlaila stuck with her statement, saying that, “Even he ought to be given a fair trial.”
She added: “The existence of the ISA is as if the government isn’t sincere about the rights of its people.”
For the time being, she might have to go slow with her work for a few months to help her husband get back on his feet again before resuming with her involvement in the movement.
Sejak akhir-akhir ini, sudah ada suara-suara sumbang penguasa dan pemimpin negara yang menyatakan Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA) masih relevan dalam era globalisasi dan demokrasi moden.
Baru-baru ini, Timbalan Ketua Polis Negara, Tan Sri Ismail Omar mendakwa ISA sebagai sangat efektif dan masih diperlukan dalam negara yang mempunyai pelbagai bangsa. Beliau turut dilaporkan berkata ISA tidak mempunyai kaitan dalam bidang politik dan sesiapa sahaja boleh dikenakan akta itu jika disabitkan kesalahan.
Menurut beliau lagi, ISA bukan bertujuan menganiaya rakyat tetapi digunakan untuk mewujudkan keharmonian hidup dalam masyarakat, selain digunapakai di beberapa negara Asia dan Amerika Syarikat.
Juga sudah mula timbul satu kumpulan iaitu Pewaris yang menyokong pengekalan ISA untuk membela hak Melayu dan mencegah mereka yang mencetuskan isu perkauman.
Kemudian, muncul pula bekas tahanan ISA yang yakin bahawa sifat ‘pemulihan’ ISA lebih ringan di banding hukuman di bawah undang-undang lain. Mereka percaya mereka telah melakukan kesilapan yang besar dan diberi peluang kembali ke pangkal jalan.
Saya sebenarnya sudah jemu dengan hujah dan alasan begini yang dikemukakan tanpa sebarang fakta sebagai sandaran. Namun kejemuan saya itu tidak menghentikan saya daripada berhujah. Bagi saya, sesiapa pun boleh turut berkata apa yang dinyatakan oleh Timbalan Ketua Polis Negara tersebut. Di manakah buktinya? Apakah sandaran yang menyokong hujah ISA sebagai sangat efektif? Bagaimana yang dikatakan ISA tidak menganiaya rakyat? Bahagian mana ISA yang tidak menghalang kebebasan dan hak rakyat? Apakah bukti tindakan berani yang mengancam keselamatan negara?
Saya boleh senaraikan beratus-ratus lagi soalan yang sebenarnya tidak pernah dijawab oleh Kerajaan melalui surat dan memorandum yang dihantar oleh Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA (GMI). Jika pun dijawab, akan diakhiri dengan kata pemutus...demi keselamatan negara. Demi menjaga kepentingan dan keselamatan rakyat yang terancam.
Saya ingin mengemukakan hujah dan bukti mengapa ISA tidak relevan, mengapa ISA sangat tidak efektif dan tidak diperlukan, mengapa ISA ada kaitan dengan politik dan bagaimana ISA telah menganiaya rakyat serta menghakis hak kebebasan rakyat.
Apakah prinsip ISA? ISA beriman kepada penahanan tanpa bicara, tanpa pembelaan dan tanpa semakan mahkamah (kecuali atas sebab teknikal). Ini bermakna ISA merupakan undang-undang ’sehala’ mengikut selera dan citarasa penguatkuasanya. Ini bermakna seseorang boleh ditahan tanpa perlu dibuktikan kesalahannya, tanpa boleh pesalah membela diri dan tanpa boleh disemak oleh mahkamah.
Ringkasnya, hari ini saudara boleh ditahan di bawah ISA kerana disyaki ’mengancam keselamatan negara dan ketenteraman awam’ walaupun saudara hanyalah seorang penjual sayur di pasar. Saudara tidak boleh membela diri di mahkamah di atas tuduhan itu dan saudara ditahan selama 60 hari di bawah Seksyen 73 dan kemudian boleh dilanjutkan penahanan sehingga 2 tahun di bawah Seksyen 8 di Kem Tahanan Kamunting (Kemta) sekiranya Menteri Dalam Negeri berpuashati penahanan lanjutan adalah wajar.
Soalnya, siapa semak polis? Siapa semak Menteri Dalam Negeri? Lembaga Penasihat yang dilantik oleh Kerajaan sendiri yang fungsinya hanya menasihat tetapi tidak ada kuasa membebaskan? Writ habeas corpus yang hanya boleh mempersoalkan aspek teknikal penahanan? Bukankah mereka ini semua manusia yang tidak lekang dari salah dan silap?
Kenapa kita di Malaysia mengamalkan sistem pengasingan kuasa antara Eksekutif, Kehakiman dan Legislatif? Bukankah untuk memastikan keadilan dan menyekat pemusatan kuasa yang melampau?
ISA tidak relevan di atas prinsip ini kerana ISA membenarkan seorang Menteri bertindak sebagai pendakwa, juri dan hakim tanpa langsung ruang pembelaan untuk pesalah! Apakah namanya undang-undang jika tonggak keadilan dihumbankan? Apakah relevannya undang-undang hanya kerana ia juga diamalkan di beberapa negara Asia dan Amerika Syarikat sedangkan prinsip keadilan dipinggirkan?
Sebagai buktinya, penjual sayur yang saya sebutkan tadi benar-benar telah ditahan ISA di bawah tuduhan sebagai anggota JI. Beliau dituduh terlibat dengan kegiatan yang boleh mengancam keselamatan negara tetapi sehingga ke hari ini tidak ada sesiapa pun yang tahu apakah kesalahan tersebut termasuk beliau sendiri.
Begitulah juga dengan ramai lagi yang ditahan atas dakwaan JI. Beratus yang ditahan tanpa apa-apa bukti. Ramai yang telah dibebaskan setelah bertahun-tahun merengkuk di Kemta, setelah isteri dan anak-anak teraniaya dan terpaksa menempuh kehidupan yang amat menyukarkan.
Sekarang masih ada yang ditahan sehingga masuk tahun yang ke-7! Apakah kesalahan mereka yang begitu berat sehingga mereka terpaksa melalui tempoh pengurungan yang begitu lama walaupun mereka bukan penjenayah dan bukan banduan?
Tetapi bagi polis dan kerajaan mudah sahaja. Plot dan jalan cerita boleh direka umpama sebuah filem atau drama. Kaitkan orang ini orang itu dengan rangkaian ini dan rangkaian itu. Jalankan propaganda. Labelkan bagi nampak ’real’. Dan ’walah’...terbuktilah orang itu bersalah dan kerajaan telah berjaya mencegah satu ancaman daripada berlaku.
Kata mereka, segala siasatan rapi telah dilakukan dan mereka mempunyai cukup bukti. Cumanya semua hasil siasatan dan maklumat bukti yang sensitif tidak boleh didedahkan kerana boleh membuatkan orang awam jadi takut dan cemas.
Tambahan pula, kata mereka, tidak ada peruntukan atau keperluan mengemukakan apa-apa maklumat atau bukti penahanan menurut undang-undang ISA. Mereka boleh berselindung di sebalik Seksyen 8 dan Seksyen 16 ISA walaupun sebenarnya tiada bukti sedikit pun.
Pertuduhan palsu dan fitnah pembohongan dijadikan alasan untuk menghalalkan penahanan, walaupun butir-butir pertuduhan dan bukti tidak pernah didedahkan. Hak asasi tertuduh dihakis dan dirampas begitu sahaja kerana adanya Seksyen 16. Apakah tidak mungkin seseorang dituduh dan ditahan secara salah dengan keadaan demikian? Apakah tidak mungkin seseorang boleh menjadi mangsa survival politik lawannya? Apakah juga tidak mungkin seseorang itu boleh senang-senang dikambinghitamkan kerana agenda besar yang tiada kena mengena dengannya?
Cukup kemas, licik dan ketat ISA ini. Tahniah kepada peguam dan pemimpin negara yang berusaha keras sehingga begitu mantapnya ISA! Ya, tidak perlu jawab sekarang. Tidak perlu kemukakan bukti sekarang. Tidak perlu jelaskan kepada isteri, anak-anak dan ahli keluarga. Jawab sahajalah di hadapan Tuhan nanti!
Sebagai satu lagi bukti, 10 orang aktivis reformasi telah ditahan ISA pada tahun 2001. Mereka dituduh merancang untuk menggulingkan kerajaan secara kekerasan dengan menggunakan bahan letupan, molotov cocktail dan pelancar roket! Sehingga ke hari ini, bukti tersebut tidak pernah dikemukakan dan aktivis tersebut sudah bebas dan tidak langsung mengancam mahu pun memudaratkan keselamatan negara. Malah ada di antara mereka yang telah menfailkan saman ke atas Polis dan Kerajaan kerana mencabul hak mereka dan merampas kebebasan mereka sebagai warganegara Malaysia.
Bagaimana pula dengan penahanan terhadap Raja Petra Kamaruddin, Teresa Kok dan Wartawan Sin Chew Daily, Tan Hoon Cheng? Apakah kesalahan mereka sehingga terpaksa ditahan di bawah ISA? Adakah kerana mereka mengancam keselamatan negara atau mengancam kepentingan pemimpin negara?
Dalam kes Tan Hoon Cheng, beliau ditahan untuk menyelamatkan beliau daripada ancaman. Begitulah kata Menteri Dalam Negeri. Sungguh lucu sehingga sesetengah orang menobatkan ia sebagai lawak tahunan terbaik! Dalam kes RPK, beliau juga berhadapan dengan pelbagai lagi dakwaan di bawah Akta lain selain daripada ISA.
Juga bagaimana pula dengan penahanan 5 orang HINDRAF? Apakah tindakan mereka menyuarakan pandangan kumpulan kaum India merupakan satu kesalahan? Untuk menghalalkan penggunaan ISA, mereka dikaitkan pula dengan pengganas LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) di Sri Lanka. Buktinya apa? Oh, kita tidak boleh dedahkan kerana maklumatnya sensitif dan boleh mengancam ketenteraman awam. Begitulah jawapan lazim diberikan oleh penguasa.
Jika banyak cerita, mereka boleh gunakan Seksyen 16 tadi. Banyak lagi cerita, mereka boleh gunakan Seksyen 28 untuk menyekat penyebaran berita dan sumber maklumat alternatif berkenaan sesuatu isu.
Perkara ini di lakukan di atas dakwaan menyebarkan khabar angin atau menyebarkan laporan tidak benar yang mengancam keselamatan dan ketenteraman awam.
Buat lagi kecoh, maka boleh gunakan peruntukan di bawah Akta Pertubuhan untuk halang individu daripada memegang jawatan dalam pertubuhan, atau dengan kata lain haramkan pertubuhan itu. Tak memadai juga, maka ada Seksyen 53 ISA untuk kuasa kepada menteri merampas tanah dan bangunan.
Antara yang paling zalim dan kejam ialah mengancam dan menakut-nakutkan rakyat dengan peruntukan seksyen 73 yang jelas memberikan kuasa yang luas kepada polis untuk membuat penangkapan terhadap individu yang dipercayai telah, akan atau boleh memudaratkan keselamatan negara untuk tempoh maksimum 60 hari dan kemudian boleh dilanjutkan untuk selama 2 tahun di bawah kuasa Menteri Dalam Negeri sekiranya beliau berpuashati bahawa pesalah memerlukan ’pemulihan’. Ini mengikut Seksyen 8 ISA. Syornya datang daripada mana? Daripada pihak polis juga!
Tidak cukup dengan itu, peruntukan dalam seksyen 74 pula dengan jelas membolehkan pihak polis menggunakan apa juga jenis senjata yang boleh membawa maut dalam menguatkuasakan penangkapan di bawah seksyen 73 (1) dan (2).
Ada banyak lagi peruntukan dalam ISA yang hampir semuanya bersifat menghakis dan merampas hak asasi manusia. Bercanggah dengan ruh perlembagaan persekutuan. Lebih malang ia bukan sahaja memberi kesan kepada tertuduh tetapi turut menyeret dan mencabuli hak ahli keluarga dan masyarakat. Malah tidak melampau jika saya katakan ISA adalah antara faktor utama kemunduran demokrasi negara.
Apakah ini semua tidak ada kaitan dengan bidang politik? Memang ada kaitan! Penahanan ISA bermotifkan politik. Penahanan JI dan DI (Darul Islam) serta penyambungan perintah tahanan terhadap mereka adalah bagi meyakinkan Amerika bahawa negara ini berjalan seiring dengan dasar Amerika memerangi terrorisme antarabangsa.
Penahanan aktivis reformasi bermotif politik kerana tujuannya bagi menghalang mereka membangkitkan semula gelombang Reformasi menentang kerajaan UMNO-BN. Penahanan Raja Petra Kamaruddin, Teresa Kok dan Tan Hoon Cheng juga bermotif politik demi untuk melindungi masalah dalaman parti UMNO yang telah menular keluar.
Jika soal keselamatan negara yang dijadikan alasan, ia sama sekali tidak memberi lesen terbuka kepada Kerajaan untuk menafikan hak asasi manusia dan bertindak kejam. Kita juga mahukan keselamatan negara dilindungi tetapi pada masa yang sama keselamatan rakyat perlu dijamin. Apakah kita hidup dalam dunia yang canggih hari ini yang tidak membolehkan siasatan rapi dilakukan? Apakah pihak polis melalui berpuluh-puluh tahun pengalaman sebagai institusi keselamatan dan keamanan negara tidak membolehkannya membuat siasatan dan memperolehi bukti untuk pendakwaan?
Benar ISA satu undang-undang sah tetapi undang-undang sah yang disalahguna secara sistematik sejak berpuluh-puluh tahun lamanya tidak boleh lagi ditafsir sebagai bermasalah kerana disalahguna. Undang-undang itu sendiri dengan segala peruntukan dan ruang kuasanya yang terlalu luas tanpa semakan kehakiman merupakan undang-undang salah dan zalim! Dan oleh itu perlu dimansuhkan sama sekali.
Berpuluh-puluh laporan sebenarnya telah dibuat berhubung penganiayaan dan penyeksaan yang dilakukan di bawah ISA. Penganiayaan yang secara langsung ke atas tahanan atau ke atas ahli keluarga.
Terdapat laporan yang dihantar kepada Suhakam, kepada Suruhanjaya Di Raja, kepada Kementerian Dalam Negeri dan kepada pihak polis. Semuanya telah didokumentasikan samada dalam bentuk laporan tahunan, buku, memorandum dan kenyataan akhbar.
Laporan-laporan tersebut ada yang dibuat oleh GMI, ada yang dibuat oleh bekas tahanan, ada yang dibuat oleh ahli keluarga tahanan dan ada yang dibuat oleh tahanan sendiri! ISA benar-benar menganiaya rakyat. Tak percaya?
Cuba lihat contoh-contoh kes berikut:
1. Tahanan dibelasah, dipukul, dihina dan diseksa seperti binatang seperti kes Malek Hussin dan kes tahanan JI. Kes-kes ini sudah dirakamkan samada dalam rekod mahkamah atau dalam laporan polis dan laporan Suhakam. Menurut Malek, beliau ditahan di tempat yang tidak diketahui tanpa pengetahuan isteri dan keluarganya. Beliau ditelanjangkan dan dibelasah. Dipukul sebanyak 63 kali. Jatuh pengsan sebanyak 5 kali. Dicurah air sejuk dalam keadaan hawa dingin yang kuat. Dipaksa minum air kencing dan diugut dengan suntikan virus HIV.
2. Tahanan dibelasah separuh mati dengan mata yang lebam iaitu kes Anwar Ibrahim. Laporan Suruhanjaya Diraja mengesahkan ’event of the century’ ini berlaku ketika Anwar Ibrahim ditahan ISA dan pembelasah utamanya ialah Tan Sri Rahim Noor, Ketua Polis Negara pada ketika itu.
3. Tahanan dibelasah hingga separuh lumpuh dan dimasukkan ke wad Hospital Tanjung Rambutan iaitu kes bekas tahanan ISA, Sanjeev Kumar. Kesnya telah dilaporkan kepada Suhakam dan beberapa laporan polis telah dibuat. Beliau dituduh sebagai Agen Perisik Asing tetapi tidak pernah dibuktikan. Jika benar ada kewujudannya, mengapa sembunyikan daripada pengetahuan rakyat? Bukankah rakyat berhak untuk tahu demi keselamatan mereka?
4. Rumahtangga tahanan berpecah belah hinggakan isteri menuntut cerai. Terdapat empat orang tahanan ISA yang telah bercerai dengan isteri masing-masing ketika mereka masih dalam tahanan. Itu yang diketahui.
5. Anak-anak tahanan mengalami trauma hingga mengalami sakit jiwa dan dimasukkan ke Wad Psikiatri akibat tidak mendapat bimbingan dan kasih sayang daripada seorang bapa dalam jangkamasa yang panjang.
6. Terkini, tahanan ISA bernama Mat Sah Mohd Satray tidak dibebaskan dan ditahan sehingga masuk tahun ke-7 hanya kerana isteri beliau berkempen menentang ISA dan berjuang membebaskan beliau dan semua tahanan lain. Ramai lagi tahanan dengan tuduhan yang sama dengan Mat Sah telah dibebaskan.
Cuba kita perhatikan apakah kes-kes di atas bukan disebabkan oleh ISA?
Sebab itulah saya tidak terkejut dengan pengakuan sesetengah bekas Tahanan ISA yang mengatakan bahawa kaedah pemulihan ISA lebih ringan berbanding dengan undang-undang lain. Dengan penyeksaan fizikal dan mental yang mereka terpaksa lalui, dengan ‘brainwash’ yang berterusan, dengan ancaman dan ugutan yang menakutkan semasa dan selepas penahanan, saya tidak hairan jika mereka mengaku melakukan kesilapan besar dan ISA memberi peluang kepada mereka untuk kembali ke pangkal jalan. Ancaman bukan sahaja kepada diri mereka tetapi juga keluarga dan rakan.
Jika kita berpeluang membaca penulisan bekas tahanan ISA seperti Syed Husin Ali, Koh Swee Yong, Saari Sungib, Ustaz Badrulamin Baharon dan Raja Petra Kamaruddin, kita akan faham bahawa pengakuan bekas tahanan menyokong ISA dibuat setelah mereka melalui pengalaman hitam, disental dan dibasuh berkali-kali sehingga mereka serik. Dalam keadaan begitu, apa sahaja pengakuan akan dibuat demi melepaskan diri. Malah setelah dibebaskan, masih ramai yang mungkin tanpa sedar ‘terpenjara’ dengan hubungan berterusan dengan SB dan tidak menjalani kehidupan seperti biasa. Mungkin petikan kata-kata Malek Hussin dalam sebuah wawancara ini boleh menggambarkannya:
“Saya perlu melaporkan kepada mereka dan malah mereka mengugut bahawa saya boleh ditangkap semula, saya mesti bekerjasama dengan mereka dan psikologinya ialah mereka mempunyai kuasa untuk menangkap saya semula. Jadi, wujud rasa takut yang saya akan ditangkap semula. Saya mengambil masa yang lama untuk mengembalikan kekuatan dan keberanian untuk membuat laporan polis dan saya membuat keputusan tersebut pada bulan Mac (1999)”
Di manakah letaknya ISA sebagai penyebab keharmonian masyarakat?
Keharmonian masyarakat bukan dicapai dengan sebab ISA. Bukan dengan cara ugutan dan ancaman. Bukan dengan penganiayaan dan paksaan. Keharmonian masyarakat boleh dicapai dengan saling hormat menghormati antara satu sama lain, saling mengutamakan prinsip keadilan tidak kira kaum atau agama dan saling menghormati hak individu serta masyarakat.
Kita harus ambil iktibar daripada firman Allah dalam Surah Al-Maidah, ayat 8 ini,
“Hai orang-orang yang beriman hendaklah kamu jadi orang-orang yang selalu menegakkan (kebenaran) kerana Allah, menjadi saksi dengan adil dan janganlah sekali-kali kebencianmu terhadap sesuatu kaum, mendorong kamu untuk berlaku tidak adil. Berlaku adillah, kerana adil itu lebih dekat kepada takwa dan bertakwalah kepada Allah, Sesungguhnya Allah Maha mengetahui apa yang kamu kerjakan”
Sebenarnya jika dilihat kepada hujah dan fakta, amat sukar untuk mempertahankan sesuatu yang usang seperti ISA. Mempertahankannya bererti membenarkan ruang untuk kezaliman terus berlaku. Mempertahankannya bererti kita tidak yakin dengan sistem keadilan dan demokrasi. Benar, sistem keadilan dan demokrasi itu pun ada kelemahannya namun ruang semak dan imbangan (check and balance) tetap wujud. Ia jauh lebih baik daripada kita memberikan kuasa yang terlalu luas dan wewenangan kepada sekumpulan kecil yang kita harap bijaksana belaka.
ISA tidak relevan, sangat tidak efektif dan tidak diperlukan. ISA bermotif politik. ISA menganiaya rakyat dan menghakis hak kebebasan rakyat. Oleh itu, tiada pilihan lain selain daripada MANSUHKAN ISA!
Saya rasa terpanggil untuk menulis dan menyelar sekerasnya tindakan beberapa individu dan pertubuhan yang secara terang-terangan menyokong ISA. Sebagai rakyat biasa saya hanya fikirkan menteri, kerajaan dan polis sahaja yang akan mempertahankan ISA, malah kini PEWARIS secara terbuka pula dengan lantangnya berusaha mengiklankan slogan ‘Kekalkan ISA’ dan ‘Yes To ISA’.
ISA adalah suatu akta kejam dan zalim menurut kacamata manusia yang berakal. Hujah Dato Ma’mor Osman iaitu jurucakap kepada PEWARIS ( Permuafakatan Melayu) bahawa ISA adalah suatu akta yang menjaga keselamatan adalah hujah tanpa bukti yang praktikal. Malah beliau mengatakan bahawa dalam tempoh 60 hari tahanan tanpa bicara (soal-siasat) mangsa masih boleh memberi alibi bahawa pertuduhan terhadap mereka tidak benar. Hujah saya pula, adakah semua mangsa tahanan ISA memiliki pengetahuan undang-undang seperti Raja Petra yang berjaya membuktikan Herbes Corpusnya? Adakah semua mampu membayar wang yuran guaman? Malah melalui majority maklumbalas mangsa, mereka menyatakan dalam tempoh 60 hari, mereka langsung tidak mengetahui pertuduhan tepat terhadap mereka. Bagaimana mereka mampu menyatakan alibi yang sahih? Hujah dangkal dato ma’mor lagi adalah, mereka yang takutkan ISA hanyalah si pesalah. Hujah saya lagi, barang sesiapa yang takutkan hudud dan undang-undang Islam, mereka juga si pesalah. Adakah beliau sanggup menerima undang-undang Islam?
PEWARIS mewakili entity dan etnik melayu yang menyokong ISA. Dengan songkok yang dipakaikan kepada belia dan remaja untuk berdemostrasi di hadapan dewan BAR Council 1 disember lalu, mereka telah menampilkan bahawa masih ada anak melayu yang jahil tentang akta zalim ini. Akta ini tidak menangkap mat rempit, perogol bersiri atau pengedar dadah, tetapi akta ini menjadi ancaman kepada yang menegakkan kebenaran. Sedarkah PEWARIS bahawa anak bangsa mereka sendiri iaitu melayu yang paling ramai ditahan di dalam akta ISA ini sejak merdeka. Sungguh simplistik apabila Dato’ Ma’mor berterus terang mengapikan peperangan antara kaum yang bakal dimenangai kaum cina hanya disebabkan PAS telah lama bersama DAP dan PKR menentang ISA. PEWARIS perlu sedar tanpa DAP juga, PAS telah lama menentang ISA. ISA ditentang bukan atas dasar bangsa, tetapi kerana ia mencarik nilai kemanusiaan.
Alangkah malang apabila Dato’ Ma’mor yang juga Setiausaha agong Persatuan Pengguna Islam (PPIM) menyokong ISA atas dasar keselamatan. Seluruh pejuang ‘pengguna’ sedunia menentang apa sahaja akta yang menjadi alat mengekang kebebasan asasi dan fitrah kemanusiaan. Isu ISA adalah isu kepenggunaan! Apatahlagi Kepenggunaan cara Islam seperti mana yang PPIM bawakan. Telah ramai rakyat malaysia sedar tentang produk halal haram melalui kempen PPIM. Kini suara PPIM pula yang mencederakan kepercayaan pengguna Islam negara ini.
Jika benar ada perwakilan PEKIDA dalam Dewan Bar Council yang turut bersama PEWARIS cuba memboikot perjuangan anti ISA, ia amat menyedihkan lagi. PEKIDA yang sinonim dengan ajakan amar ma’ruf nahi mungkar kini bersama menyokong ISA yang jelas besar mungkarnya di bumi Malaysia ini.
Saya amat tertarik dengan kata-kata semangat Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz berkenaan usaha variasi menentang ISA. Kata beliau” jangan senyap dalam menentang hal bercanggah dengan syarak. Buatlah apa sahaja. Hantar surat ke, tulis lagu ke, sajak, kartun dan sebagainya. Yang penting kita kena lawan benda (Akta ISA) yang salah”. Ya, GMI pulau Pinang saban minggu melakukan pelbagai aktiviti menonjolkan simbol anti ISA. Malah seluruh pejuang Islam juga tanpa mengira apa NGO dan Parti politik yang berkesedaran.
Muhammad Nuruddin Bashah
SU Penerangan PAS Pulau Pinang
http://landskapsiasah.blogspot.com
http://munawwarah.blogdrive.com
Since the September 11 attacks in the United States, Prime Minister Mahathir has justified use of the Internal Security Act (ISA) on counter-terrorism grounds. The September attacks also prompted a major shift in U.S. policy regarding political repression in Malaysia. In July 2001, Foreign Minister Syed Hamid met with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell in Washington, D.C. just weeks after Anwar Ibrahim's wife, Wan Azizah, met with senior State Department officials. State Department officials reportedly told the foreign minister that a meeting between President Bush and Prime Minister Mahathir could take place only if there were progress on Anwar's case and in the treatment of political dissidents. But when Mahathir and Bush met at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shanghai last October, Bush made no public comment on Malaysia's human rights record or the detention of political dissidents. The White House subsequently agreed to Mahathir's visit this week, from May 13-15, to thank him for Malaysia's efforts against terrorism.
But the draconian and anachronistic ISA has long been and continues to be used as a tool to stifle peaceful political dissent. Political activists in the past have been detained under the ISA for more than a decade without trial. President Bush must make it clear that the fight against terrorism does not justify the wholesale use of the ISA to suppress dissent, to violate internationally guaranteed rights to due process and freedom from arbitrary detention, and to undermine the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly. Those suspected of involvement in violent acts including acts of terrorism should be charged and brought to trial under Malaysia's criminal laws.
Malaysia's Internal Security Act (ISA) is a preventive detention law originally enacted in the early 1960s during a national state of emergency as a temporary measure to fight a communist rebellion. Under Section 73 (1) of the ISA, police may detain any person for up to 60 days, without warrant or trial and without access to legal counsel, on suspicion that "he has acted or is about to act or is likely to act in any manner prejudicial to the security of Malaysia or any part thereof or to maintenance of essential services therein or to the economic life thereof." After 60 days, the Minister of Home Affairs can then extend the period of detention without trial for up to two years, without submitting any evidence for review by the courts, by issuing a detention order, which is renewable indefinitely.
The law has repeatedly been criticized by Malaysian human rights groups, the Malaysian Bar Council, the Malaysian Human Rights Commission, and international human rights groups, which called for its repeal. The ISA's provisions violate fundamental international human rights standards, including prohibitions on arbitrary detention and guarantees of the right to due process and the right to a prompt and impartial trial.
The U.S. State Department's Country Report on Human Rights Practices issued on March 4, 2002, was highly critical of Malaysia's continued use of the ISA and noted that last year, "police increased their use of the ISA to arrest and detain many persons, including members of the political opposition, without charge or trial�.In the latter half of the year, the Government stepped up its pro-ISA rhetoric."
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed has vigorously defended the use of the ISA, saying it has been useful in fighting insurgent groups threatening national security. In November 2000, the ruling coalition suffered a by-election defeat in Mahathir's home district in Kedah state and the government faced increasingly vocal opposition protests. Not for the first time, it used the ISA against its political opponents. Among those targeted under the ISA were minority Shi'a Muslims, supporters of jailed former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and youth leaders in the opposition Pan Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS, Partai Islam Se-Malaysia), although individuals linked to specific violent acts were also among those detained.
The Act provides for arbitrary arrest and detention without trial for an indefinite period based on mere suspicion that one "may be likely" to commit an act deemed dangerous to national security. A detainee is, therefore, presumed guilty without trial. It further allows a detainee to be held under solitary confinement for 60 days without legal counsel.
When the Act was first adopted, it did allow for judicial review, but since then, the ISA has been amended over 20 times, and this provision has been removed. Absolute power is given to the Minister of Home Affairs to arbitrarily detain anyone, without reference to the courts.
In addition to provisions for arrest, the ISA allows for restrictions on freedom of assembly, association, and expression, freedom of movement, residence and employment. It also allows for the closing of schools and educational institutions if they are used as a meeting place for an unlawful organization or for any other reason are deemed detrimental to the interests of Malaysia or the public.
Over the years, the Malaysian government has consistently used the Act for its own political purposes to detain thousands of citizens, including political opposition leaders, academicians, trade unionists, religious, social, environmental, and women's rights activists. The ISA was used to arrest political opponents of Mahathir in a major crackdown in 1987-88, as well as politicians in Sabah, east Malaysia, in 1990, whose party was considered a major rival to the ruling party, UMNO. In November 1997, ten people were arrested under the ISA for allegedly spreading Shiite teachings deemed detrimental to national security; Muslims in Malaysia are Sunnis. The ISA was used in 1998 to arrest Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and six of his political supporters. Anwar was the primary leader of opposition to Mahathir, and is currently serving a 15-year sentence following convictions in 1999 and 2000 in politically motivated trials for sodomy and corruption and abuse of power.
Former ISA detainees have testified to being subjected to severe physical and psychological torture, including allegations of physical assault, forced nudity, sleep deprivation, around-the-clock interrogation, death threats, threats of bodily harm to family members, including threats of rape and bodily harm to their children. Detainees are often kept in solitary confinement in tiny, dark cells. Prolonged torture and deprivation have led to some to sign state-manufactured "confessions" under severe duress. During the first trial of former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, police admitted to the courts that the process of 'extracting confessions' under duress was standard practice. Currently, there are 105 ISA detainees being held in Kamunting prison camp.
In April 2001, prior to a planned a demonstration marking the second anniversary of the sentencing of prisoner of conscience Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysian police detained nine opposition activists and a human rights defender under the ISA:
Chua Tian Chiang, Vice President, Parti Keadilan Nasional (PKN - National Justice
Party, known as Keadilan);
Mohd Ezam Mohd Noor, National Youth Chief, PKN;
Haji Saari Sungip, PKN activist;
Hishamuddin Rais, media columnist and social activist;
Raja Petra Kamaruddin, Director of Free Anwar Campaign;
N. Gobala Krishnan, Secretary General, PKN Youth;
Abdul Ghani Harun, PKN Youth Central Committee member;
Dr Badrul Amin Baharom, PKN Youth leader;
Lokman Nor Adam, Executive Secretary, PKN Youth Wing;
Badaruddin Ismail, human rights defender.
Five of the activists belonged to the opposition PKN party, headed by Anwar's wife, Wan Azizah. The detainees were apparently also planning to submit a memorandum to the Malaysian Commission on Human Rights regarding Anwar's trial. Dr Badrul Amin Baharom and Lokman Nor Adam, leading members of the PKN, were arrested on April 20, 2001. Dr. Badrul Amin Baharom was released on November 2, but tight restrictions were placed on his movements and he was prohibited from speaking publicly. He broke the restrictions and was rearrested on January 31, 2002. On 26 April 26, 2001 Malaysian police arrested human rights defender Badaruddin Ismail, who is a member of the secretariat of a leading human rights organization, Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram, Voice of the Malaysian People). He had been assisting families of detainees and monitoring the National Human Rights Commission enquiry into police brutality. No reason for his arrest has been given.
On May 30, in an unusual and courageous ruling, Judge Hishamuddin Yunus ordered the release of two ISA detainees on a writ of habeas corpus (an order that a prisoner to be brought before a court to determine whether his detention is lawful), and suggested that the parliament should review and either scrap or amend the ISA to reduce its potential for abuse.
In July 2001, the authorities detained two student activists, Khairul Anuar Ahmad Zainuddin and Mohamad Fuad Mohamad Ikhwan, under the ISA, the former for twenty-three days and the latter for ten days. Also in July, the government banned all political rallies stating that they would undermine the country's security. When the Pan Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), an opposition party making inroads since the 1999 general election, subsequently planned a series of meetings to protest the policy, police refused to grant permits and dispersed those who attempted to attend.
On August 2-4, police detained another ten people under the ISA, all of whom were affiliated with or supporters of PAS, including four prominent youth leaders. The authorities said the ten belonged to a group (known by the initials KMM) that planned to overthrow the government, sometimes labeling the group the Malaysian Militant Group and sometimes the Malaysian Mujahedin Group.
One of those detained, Nik Adli Nik Aziz, was the son of a leading PAS official. The authorities alleged he had received military training in Afghanistan and had learned bomb making from Muslim rebels in the Philippines, but he denied this and PAS leaders emphasized that they used only peaceful, democratic means in their struggle against the ruling coalition. As of May, most of them were still detained under two-year detention orders.
The police have claimed that the opposition PKN party activists were planning violent street demonstrations to overthrow the government although no evidence supporting this accusation has ever been presented before the courts. Many non-governmental organizations believe the real reason for the arrests is to suppress legitimate peaceful dissent against the arrest and sentencing of Anwar Ibrahim. The Malaysian Human Rights Commission has repeatedly said that detention without trial under the Internal Security Act violates fundamental human rights, and if the detainees were not charged and tried in an open court they should be immediately released.
Following their initial detention, the families of five of the detainees--Mohammad Ezam Mohd Noor, Haji Saari Sungip, Raja Petra Kamaruddin, Dr Badrul Amin Baharom and Lokman Nor Adam--expressed concern that while the detainees did not show signs of physical assault, they were unwilling to speak of their interrogation, and returned repeatedly to the subject of the safety of their families. To date, two of the detainees have been freed pending their Federal Court case (Gobala Krishnan Abdul Ghani Harun) and six (the "ISA Six") remain under two-year detention order in Kamunting Detention Center in Northern Perak state: Badrul Amin, Chua Tian Chang, Hishamuddin Rais, Lokman Adam, Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor, and Saari Sungib.
On April 10, 2002, the six ISA detainees observed the one-year anniversary of their detention by beginning a hunger strike to protest their detention. The strike was suspended on April 21, 2002. The detainees are allowed weekly family visits.
In addition to the ISA detentions, the Mahathir government has suppressed peaceful political opposition by restricting media and academic freedoms.
Throughout 2001, Malaysia's ruling National Front coalition, led by Prime Minister Mahathir, sought to broaden already tight controls on the press through what the US-based Committee for the Protection of Journalists called "coercion, ownership changes, verbal bullying, and backroom personnel moves." The Printing Presses and Publications Act presently requires all publications to obtain an annual press license to operate, which can be withdrawn without judicial review. A special office in the Home Affairs Ministry censors all foreign publications and has repeatedly delayed publications deemed critical of the government. For example, in March 2001, censors delayed release of both Far Eastern Economic Review and Asiaweek editions chronicling the growing opposition to Mahathir and signs of political unrest.
The government asserts control through its ownership of virtually all major media, either through the ruling National Front parties or Mahathir's allies. In May, the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), a senior partner in the ruling National Front coalition, bought out and dismissed the senior editorial staff of the two major Chinese-language dailies, Nanyang Press and Nanyang Siang Pau, effectively bringing the nation's most independent papers under government control. The takeover left only one independent Chinese daily, Sin Chew Jit Po.
The Internet, which the government had pledged to spare from censorship, has also begun to come under government pressure. The government stepped up pressure on the online news daily Malaysiakini.com after it was alleged that the site had received start-up funding from a foundation controlled by U.S. businessman George Soros, whom Mahathir has branded an enemy of his country's financial system and responsible for the 1997 financial crisis. Although Malaysiakini denied the report, Mahathir told the nation that "loyal Malaysians" should stop reading Malaysiakini and barred Malaysiakini reporters from attending government press conferences on the grounds that "their credibility is doubtful." On May 23, the deputy home affairs minister told parliament that the government was monitoring "every article" published by malaysiakini.com to ensure that its writings did not upset public order. Throughout the year, other government officials threatened that the site would be prosecuted if its reporting "endangered national security." In May 2001, the prime minister's office announced that laws were being prepared to require online journalists to observe the same severe restrictions that impede the rest of the media.
Civil servants are required to take an oath of loyalty to king, country and government. Academics and undergraduate students are also now required to take the pledge. The pledge, Akujanji (I Pledge), is an oath of good conduct and requires signatories to heed all existing and future government directives and orders. An explanatory note in a circular on the pledge reads: "An officer who goes against or criticizes a government policy will undermine the integrity and stability of the civil service as a whole."
The pledge is clearly intended to contain political activity among civil servants, academics and students. In October 2001, sixty-one university lecturers alleged to be engaged in anti-government activities were warned, transferred or fired. Civil servants are reportedly divided over the government's September 1998 arrest of former Deputy Premier Anwar Ibrahim, which sparked the reform movement. Last year, soon after Anwar's arrest, 10 reform activists and two student activists were detained under the ISA. The government has alleged that university student associations are controlled by the PAS. Mahathir has publicly admitted that the aim of the pledge is to check "poisoning of the minds" of students so they "stick to the original purpose of entering universities to gain knowledge and not to indulge in anti-government activities."
Friday, October 17, 2008
Abolish ISA Candle Light Vigil TONIGHT at 9pm
Posted by: edmondr
Every Friday night, for the past few weeks, there have been candle light vigils in front of Dewan Sri Pinang to call for the abolishment of the Internal Security Act (ISA). I was there two weeks ago, and for me, it was a moving experience to see so many people from all walks of life, coming together for a single cause.
The last vigil of this series will be held tonight at 9.00 pm at the same venue and I would like to encourage all readers to join in. To some, gatherings like these might seem to be a trivial and ineffective way to press for the abolishment of this draconian act. They say we need more constructive and direct negotiations with the government for the cause to be effective.
I am not part of the organization team nor any other non-governmental organizations, but I believe that FREEDOM OF SPEECH IS ONLY FREE IF WE USE IT. If we continue to refrain from speaking out for what we believe in, then we are paying a price for freedom.
The acronym ISA stands for Internal Security Act. We are internal – being citizens of our own independent country. But we feel totally insecure with the continuous existence of this act. How then are we suppose to be protected by the ISA if the act itself creates an atmosphere of fear and insecurity in all of us?
How are we suppose to feel safe when our freedom of speech is constantly under the threat of possible incarceration?
Therefore I urge everyone here, including your friends and family, to come and join us tonight for this last vigil to stand up for our basic rights. It doesn’t matter whether you come as a participant or a mere spectator. The most important thing is to make our presence felt to the powers that be. We must remind the government that the people have not given up hope for change.
I shall reproduce below the letter I wrote a few weeks ago after my first candle light vigil and hope that it will inspire you to join this peaceful gathering tonight.
“Dreams are little pockets of hope. And if we share the same dream, then our hope for freedom, justice and equality will come through sooner, rather than later.”
I Lit a Candle for Raja Petra
Posted on 27 September 2008
Dear Raja Petra,
I did something out of the ordinary last night, something which I would never have thought of doing in my entire life. I went to the anti-ISA candle light vigil in front of Dewan Sri Pinang and joined hundreds of others to call for the abolishment of this most draconian act and to secure the freedom of all detainees including your good self.
It is Saturday today and I wish I could wake up late. But there is a lot of work to be done including writing this letter to you. No, you do not know me personally, but like most Malaysians who have been reading your thoughts and ideas for a better Malaysia, I could feel a certain bond that your articles generated in me and millions of others in this country – the bond of humanity.
I did not know what to expect at this gathering because it was the first time I attended such an event. I thought that it would be as dark and gloomy as the current mood in our country, and that there would be hordes of angry people shouting inflammable slogans.
But as I approached the Esplanade, the sight of hundreds of candle lights flickering in between the brightly lit iconic Dewan Sri Pinang and the majestic court house, lifted my spirits. I began to feel a sense of purpose in my trip and a renewed surge of confidence arose in me.
The crowd that had gathered comprised of decent looking people of all ages. There were many elderly people who have lived through turbulent years and the younger generation who are starting to discover their own voices. But last night, all of these people shared a common purpose – to execute their duties as responsible citizens and to speak out for truth, justice, equality and freedom.
Suddenly, I was not alone.
There were a few speakers including a Member of Parliament and an ex-ISA detainee. Some of the speakers claim to know you personally. But I suppose, all of us there know you too, through your eye opening articles and the constant persecution by the authorities.
The question is - why did the government arrest you under an act which was meant to curtail terrorist activities during the Emergency, when all you ever did was to expound your thoughts and ideas by putting them into words?
It is true then, that the pen is mightier than the sword and the Internal Security Act is just a convenient eraser which has been constantly misused by the government to silence its critics. The original intention of this act was for the protection of the public. But now it has been used again and again for the protection of the government.
They say that you have insulted Islam to the extent that it might cause unrest among the people. I am not a Muslim and therefore unable to comment much on this. But I must say that you – Raja Petra Kamarudin – has taught me more about your religion than all the tedious Tamadun Islam (Islamic Civilization) lecturers during my first year in university. Yes, apart from the subjects we majored in, we also had to complete two semesters of Islamic Civilization course work.
It is sad indeed that the government arrested you just when you are starting to make the multiracial people of Malaysia understand more about your beautiful religion. They say that education is a continuous process that occurs throughout our life time. Indeed I learned three important lessons last night.
Firstly I learned to overcome my fear of participating in public expressions of my personal stand on issues. Secondly I discovered that I am not alone in this quest for freedom, justice and equality as I could see so many other people of all ages and ethnicities making their stand for the same ideals.
Of course we can find these comments and opinions in blogs all over the internet. But seeing real people coming together for the same cause with our own eyes generates an overwhelming feeling of contention and brotherhood in our souls.
The third lesson I learned was that it is time for us to speak out now before our voices are muffled further by the powers that be.
Yes Raja Petra. Even when you are behind bars, you are still able to reach out and teach us a thing or two. Doesn’t this make the government’s effort to stifle your voice appear fruitless?
The people at the vigil in Dewan Sri Pinang last night share a common dream. Some cynics might say that vigils and protests are also fruitless efforts which do not bring about any concrete results. They say that dreams shall remain dreams.
I, however, believe that dreams are little pockets of hope and if all of us share the same dream, then our hope of achieving real freedom, justice and equality in Malaysia will come true sooner than later.
I hope that you are not feeling too cold or lonely in your detention cell, sir. There were a lot of dreamers holding candles in their hands last night, and the numbers seem to multiply each week. We hope that the glow from these candles will keep you warm until the day brightness shine upon our country once again.
