Six Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) activists, including member of Parliament for Sungai Siput Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj, who were held under the Emergency Ordinance 1969 are well taken care of, said inspector-general of police Ismail Omar.

He said they were held in the interest of national security and according to procedures established by the law.

“Their lawyers know that. Certain quarters had been allowed to see Jeyakumar. They were given the rights they were entitled to,” he told reporters after the opening of the Police Air Unit Training Base by Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah in Ipoh today.

Ismail was commenting on a hunger strike staged by Jeyakumar since this morning.

        

On calls for the six activists to be released, Ismail said all quarters should wait until investigations into their case was completed.

“We will make the decision accordingly. What we are doing adhered to the procedures and processes in accordance with the law,” he said.

Jeyakumar along with PSM deputy chairman M Sarasvathy, 58, national Youth chief R Sarat Babu, 25, Sungai Siput division secretary AP Letchumanan, 49, and central committee members Choo Chon Kai, 33, and M Sukumaran 50, were arrested two weeks before the July 9 illegal rally.

Under Section 3 (1) of the Emergency Ordinance, a person could be held for up to 60 days without trial.

- Bernama