A group of distressed parents worried about their children's future called on the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) today appealing for intervention in the cases of teenagers held under the stringent Emergency Ordinance (EO).

An aggrieved parent, Rosmawati Taib, who spoke to Malaysiakini , fears that her son, who was to register at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) next week, would be unable to do so as he is still being detained.

keluarga remaja tahanan EO, emergency ordinance The 17-year-old has been held in the Ayer Molek, Johor Baru prison under the EO for the past 44 days.

"He was supposed to have been released. He needs to study, his future is at stake. I'm not satisfied with what has happened because my son is innocent," said Rosmawati.

"His 60-day detention ends on June 12. Police told me that after his detention period ends, he could be forbidden from the entering the state or put behind bars for two years.

Appeal to top gun advice

"The police said this is what they can do, unless we, the parents appeal to the home minister, because ultimately it's his call," she said.

Rosmawati's visit to Suhakam today was prompted by lawyers' refusal to take up the matter, which also includes the detention of two other 17-year-olds and Muhammad Noorariff Bakran, 20.

PAS information chief Suhaizan Kayat, who accompanied Rosmawati and her husband to Suhakam, said that the youths were arrested under suspicion of being involved in a brawl on March 28 in Sri Alam, Johor Bharu.

"If they had (truly) committed a crime, charge them in court. If not, let them go. We don't want this to become a problem for them," said Suhaizan.

Meanwhile, Pemas PAS service centre supervisor Syed Othman Syed Abdullah said: "Lawyers can't do anything about the case because if it is under the EO, the case can't be taken to court.

"The family tried to get in touch with the police but they have not responded about why the youths are being held in prison."