The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has come under fire again for failing to launch an immediate inquiry into the May 9 alleged assault of two Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees at the Kamunting detention centre.

DAP national chairperson Lim Kit Siang ( photo ) said Suhakam's lack of urgency seems to imply that it will not conduct any inquiry into the alleged assault of Tian Chua and Hishamuddin Rais.

Yesterday, Suhakam chairperson Abu Talib Othman had advised them both to lodge police reports to expedite investigations into their complaint.

Details requested

Responding today in a statement, Lim asked: "Why is he suggesting that they lodge police reports instead of launching an immediate inquiry for human rights violations, as several reports have been lodged with Suhakam, including by the Anti-ISA Movement?"

"In fact, Abu Talib should be asked pointedly whether his advice to Tian Chua and Hishamuddin is openly passing the buck."

The two detainees claimed they had been assaulted by a group of 30 plainclothes and uniformed camp security personnel in full riot gear, during a dormitory raid to seize a laptop used by Tian to write his doctoral thesis.

Hishamuddin ( photo, left ) was reportedly "pinned down and handcuffed" before being placed in solitary confinement for an hour for shouting at the security personnel to release Tian ( photo, right ).

But Kamunting camp commandant Abdul Basir Mohamad has denied the allegation, charging that the reverse was true with regard to the aggression. He also said the dormitory inspection was a "routine block search".

When contacted today, Suhakam secretary Kamaruddin Mohamed Baria said the commission is waiting for a response to a letter requesting the Kamunting camp authorities for details of the alleged incident. The letter was sent last Friday.

"I cannot give you a timeframe (for a response) because we need to obtain full details first. We cannot be listening o­nly to those who complain to us. To be fair to the camp authorities, we have to give them enough time to respond to our request," he said.

On whether Suhakam plans to visit the camp, Kamaruddin said the commission wanted to gather as much information as possible before deciding o­n the next move.

"The option to visit is still open," he added.

When contacted for confirmation, Abdul Basir said he has yet to receive any letter.

"Maybe it is o­n the way... I don't know. But I'll have to wait for the letter before I can comment further," he said in a brief telephone interview.

'Explain, Suhakam'

In his statement, Lim also criticised Abu Talib for placing the responsibility o­n the police to initiate investigations without waiting for a report to be lodged.

"(By the same token), he should explain why Suhakam has not launched any inquiry into the (alleged) assault despite several reports lodged with the commission," he said.

The alleged incidents have caused outrage among anti-ISA and human rights activists, prompting speculation that it was provoked by the government to justify an extension of the two-year detention period of both men. The order will expire o­n June 1.

Apart from Tian and Hishamuddin, other reformasi activists being detained at Kamunting are Keadilan leaders Saari Sungib, Lokman Noor Adam and Dr Badrul Amin Baharon. The detention order for the latter two will expire o­n June 13.

The Asian Students Association has also sent a letter to Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi strongly protesting the alleged "assault, manhandling and humiliation" of the two ISA detainees.

In a joint statement issued o­n behalf of its 52 member-organisations, Lee Khai Loon, Rey Asis and Madhav Nepal said the violent force "reeks of the government's brutal affront and gross violation of justice, democracy and human rights".

"We urge the Malaysian government to explain the May 9 incident and claim complete responsibility for it," the statement said.

The grouping demanded a full, transparent and independent investigation, including an immediate visit to the camp by Suhakam.