A DAP leader today urged Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to launch an investigation into the alleged assault of ISA detainees Tian Chua and Hishamuddin Rais at the Kamunting detention camp last week. .

DAP international secretary and member of parliament for Seputeh Teresa Kok said the assault o­n the duo was "appalling" as the detainees' human rights still ought to be respected while they are incarcerated.

"There are rare reports of Kamunting detention camp officers beating up the detainees. The assault o­n Tian Chua not o­nly reflected the abuse of power by the Kamunting camp officers but also raised questions about the ability of the officers to manage the detainees," she said in a press statement.

Better treatment

In addition, Kok said the Home Ministry should impress upon the camp officers that detainees at the Kamunting camp are different from those in police lock-ups and prisons as they are held for their political differences with the government without due process of law.

"Therefore, they deserve better treatment from the camp authorities," she said, adding that the detainees should be allowed more leeway, including their wish to pursue further studies.

Kok said the Abdullah ( photo ), who is also the home minister, should approve Tian Chua's request to use a computer in his dormitory cell for his doctoral studies while he remained in detention.

The alleged assault of the two reformasi detainees was said to have taken place during a surprise raid of Tian Chua's room by a group of heavily-armed prisons security personnel in order to remove his laptop computer.

'Deliberate provocation'

Lawyers for both Tian Chua ( photo ) and Hishamuddin have claimed that the duo were slapped, beaten, handcuffed and stripped during the incident although Kamunting camp officials have denied the allegations.

Supporters of the reformasi detainees and anti-ISA campaigners have claimed that the government may be deliberately provoking such incidents so as to provide a reason for extending the detainees' detention orders which are due to expire in June.

Tian Chua, Hishamuddin and four other reformasi detainees have been held for over two years under the ISA, which allows detention without trial, for allegedly using militant means to overthrow the government.