I refer to the letter by Gabriel (Extraordinary, unverifiable stories) who criticised malaysiakini for publishing the three stories about the experiences of Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee Saari Sungib during the course of his interrogation by the police.

Am I right in supposing that the source of malaysiakini's stories is the memorandum submitted by Saari to Suhakam? If so, then the memorandum is a piece of public document, and Malaysians have every right to gain access to the information inside.

It is the job of Suhakam to investigate the allegations contained in the memorandum, not o­nly to get at the truth of the matter to see that justice is done, but also to clear the name of the police if the allegations turn out to be bogus.

Likewise, it is the job of the media, including malaysiakini, to report o­n the content of the memorandum, which is the people's right to information. Eventually it is the job of the readers to make up their mind about the seemingly outrageous stories of a police conspiracy hidden deep within that large institution.

In 1987 - during the period of Operation Lalang, when 106 politicians, social activists and NGO leaders were arrested and detained under the ISA - I served as Acting Opposition Party Whip in the Dewan Rakyat. I made it a point to interview my colleagues who were released after or during the initial 60-day period, and gained some knowledge of the method employed by Special Branch officers in interrogating detainees.

What I got was a collection of horror stories. Among the many personal narratives, was the tale of bragging by the police interrogators, about their power over the life and death of detainees. The bragging was not entirely done out of vanity. It could be a deliberate psychological tactic, to disorientate and break the prisoner into submission, and sometimes it worked.

I then received from Kamunting an affidavit by o­ne Abdul Rahman Hamzah, a former secretary to the former chief minister of Sarawak, and a Sarawak state assembly representative at o­ne time. The affidavit contained a horrendous account of extremely inhumane humiliating and cruel torture, which seemed implausible at first glance.

I brought the affidavit to the Dewan Rakyat, and had it printed in the Rocket (DAP's party organ), since the mainstream media was unlikely to touch it with the proverbial 10-foot pole.

The then Deputy Home Minister Megat Junid, in response to my allegations in the house, promised an investigation. Later, he admitted that seven Special Branch officers were guilty, and he even promised prosecution. The prosecution did not materialise, but I understand the officers were reprimanded.

Remembering all the personal sufferings of all the ISA detainees down through the decades, I find Gabriel's sarcasm and scorn for malaysiakini's stories both petty and belittling.