The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) today urged the police and Home Ministry to exercise good faith in the arrest of a former army officer under the Internal Security Act last Thursday.

Abdul Manaf Kasmuri, a former colonel who served as a United Nations peacekeeper in Bosnia, was detained for alleged involvement in the terrorist group Jemaah Islamiah. His whereabouts are unknown.

"Suhakam urges the authorities to exercise their powers to arrest and detain Abdul Manaf under the ISA with utmost care and in good faith. His arrest and detention should be in accordance with the rule of law and consistent with human rights principles.

"Suhakam recommends that the authorities, if they have not already done so, should inform Abdul Manaf's family members of his arrest and detention," said the commission in a statement signed by secretary Kamaruddin Mohamed Baria.

Family in the dark

ISA allows for indefinite detention without trial following an initial interrogation period of a maximum of 60 days. In the early days of arrest, suspects are rarely allowed to meet with families or lawyers.

"Suhakam understands that his family members were not informed of his arrest and Suhakam views this with concern...they (the authorities) should not hold him in an undisclosed place.

"Suhakam also recommends that he be allowed access to family members and counsel within seven days of his arrest," the commission stressed.

Malaysiakini o­n Tuesday broke the news that Abdul Manaf was arrested under the controversial law o­n Feb 20, between 10pm and 11pm at his home in Shah Alam, Selangor.

According to a statement from Abolish ISA Movement (AIM), Abdul Manaf was immediately driven to his office in Gombak where a thorough search was conducted until 3am.

Inspector-General of Police Norian Mai confirmed the arrest yesterday, after keeping quiet for six days since the arrest.

The police refused to confirm the arrest when contacted by malaysiakini earlier, citing "security reasons", especially given that Kuala Lumpur was hosting the Non-Aligned Movement summit. The summit ended o­n Tuesday.

Allegation to overthrow governments

Abdul Manaf is a human resource manager of the Koperasi Belia Islam Malaysia Berhad (KBI), an Islamic financial institution which has close links with the influential Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (Abim).

Abim in a statement yesterday also urged the police to reveal more details regarding the arrest.

More than 62 alleged members of JI have been arrested and detained under the ISA for allegedly plotting to overthrow Southeast Asian governments through violence and to convert their respective countries into Islamic states.

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