Its been two years since Isham was arrested

comments     Published     Updated

On this day two years ago, malaysiakini columnist cum film-maker Hishamuddin Rais was arrested under the Internal Security Act.

The government has alleged that he and five other reformasi activists were part of conspiracy to overthrow the government by 'militant means'. No evidence was given. No charges were laid.

Hishamuddin has since been languishing in the Kamunting detention camp in Taiping for 720 days.

According to the police, the activists were detained "because there was information about their involvement in an activity which could endanger the security of the country".

Police chief Norian Mai said at a press conference a day after the arrests that the activists planned to launch "large-scale street demonstrations in a militant way ahead of the 2004 elections".

The arrests came four days ahead of a planned memorandum o­n Anwar Ibrahim to the human rights commission o­n April 14, or 'Black 14' which marked the second anniversary of the jailed ex-deputy premier's sentencing.

Norian said that some 20 activists had held 12 secret meetings in the preceding months to persuade the public to take part in militant street demonstrations. Hishamuddin was among them.

"They plan to gather 50,000 people. The gathering and the procession has the potential to transform into a riot," the police chief said.

Rocket launchers

Norian added that the reformasi activists had also tried to obtain explosives including rocket launchers and to use petrol bombs and other dangerous weapons to attack security forces.

He charged the group for trying to garner the support of Malay self-defense ( silat ) instructors and former security personnel.

In late 1998, the police had taken action against 28 activists - when Anwar and 27 others were detained under the ISA - but this o­nly managed to contain them for a short period, said Norian.

Apart from Hishamuddin, those arrested were Keadilan leaders, Ezam Mohamad Noor, Tian Chua, Saari Sungip, Dr Badrulamin Baharon and Lokman Noor Adam.

It is unclear whether all six will be released when their two-year detention period officially ends in June.

Under the ISA, a colonial relic which allows indefinite detention without trial, Home Minister and Acting Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has the power to extend the detention period for another two years.

But it does not look likely, given that the Abdullah ignored the recommendation from the ISA review board for their release.

For more o­n Hishamuddin and his colourful life, click here .



Malaysiakini
news and views that matter


Sign In