The Malaysian Human Rights Comission (Suhakam) today expressed concern that a lie detector was used on Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) deputy chairperson M Sarasvathy, who has been detained under the Emergency Ordinance (EO) since July 2.

Speaking at the Suhakam headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today, commissioner James Nayagam also lamented that despite the efforts of the commission, human rights abuses continued to occur in the country.

NONE "I'm very concerned that they've used a lie detector. In terms of Suhakam's role, I've been thinking about it. It appears that we are always following a set of patterns and procedures, and thus far I'm yet to see any creative means to solve these problems," he added.

Earlier, representatives from 10 women's NGOs submitted a memorandum to Suhakam, protesting the ill treatment of Sarasvathy ( left, in handcuffs ), the sole woman detainee among the PSM 6 being held under the EO, among them the MP for Sungei Siput, Dr D Jeyakumar.

Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor president Irene Xavier condemned the police treatment of Sarasvathy, saying that it could be sexual harassment.

"Why use the polygraph test, why on a woman, why on a woman who is sick? To me, its like the police are getting into a form of sexual harassment of women. This is really unacceptable," Irene said.

Among the other NGOs present Women's Aid Organisation (WAO), Sisters in Islam (SIS), Tenaganita, All Women's Action Society (AWAM).

Also present were Bersih 2.0 steering committee members Ambiga Sreenevasan and Maria Chin Abdullah.

Yesterday, Sarasvathy’s family learned that she was admitted to hospital on July 17 for chest pains and on her discharge two days later, the police had her sign a 62-page statement while she was under the influence of hospital medication.

Her family claimed that Sarasvathy had refused to sign the statement because she could not understand the contents of it while under medication but was forced to do so by police.

PSM secretary-general Arutchelvan had yesterday made a police report on the matter.

Suhakam to seek meeting with IGP

Nayagam, who accepted the memorandum, explained that the commission is actively seeking updates on the EO 6 including having direct contact with the inspector-general of police Ismail Omar.

The memorandum called for Suhakam to condemn the detention of the EO 6 and ensure family visits including by the comission itself to monitor the condition of the detainees.

womens aid organisation pc censored anti rape campaign 130109 ivy josiah Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) executive director Ivy Josiah ( left ) also pressed for the commission to do more.

“We are urging Suhakam to recognise that they have to claim the right to know, they cannot just express concern and all. It is an institution and should be creative and claim their right to demand a meeting with the IGP and home minister,” she said.

The former Suhakam commissioner and her NGO collegues demanded that the commission find out when exactly that the EO 6 will be released and the exact circumstances of their arrest.

The group pointed out that while many of them were part of the electoral reform coalition Bersih 2.0 and were still free, the EO 6 were not part of the Bersih 2.0 steering committee but are languishing in solitary confinement.

Nayagam concured with the demands and said that he will take up the matter with Suhakam chairperson Hasmy Agam as soon as possible.

“I will be making a call to Hasmy later and we’ll talk about this,” he said.

The EO 6 were arrested with 24 others at Sungai Dua toll Plaza in Penang on June 25 for allegedly attempting to “revive communism” and “waging war against the Agong”.

On release on July 2, the six were immediately rearrested under the EO for allegedly having a hand in the July 9 rally.

Apart from Jeyakumar and Sarasvathy, the others are PSM central committee members Choo Chon Kai and M Sukumaran, Sungai Siput branch secretary A Letchumanan and Youth leader Sarat Babu.