The seven Internal Security Act (ISA) arrests so far, and with more to follow, is to curb the reformasi movement from toppling the government using bombs and grenade launchers, the Inspector-General of Police Norian Mai said in a press statement today.
Norian, who read out the statement at a news conference in Bukit Aman this afternoon, said the police had information that these individuals were involved in militant activities which could undermine the security of the country.
"The reformasi movement which began in September 1998 plans to topple the government through massive street demonstrations and is prepared to use militant tactics," he said.
Keadilan vice-president Tian Chua, Youth leaders Mohamad Ezam Mohd Noor and N Gobalakrishnan, chairman of the Committee for the People's Memorandum of April 14 Saari Sungib and malaysiakini columnist and film maker Hishamuddin Rais were arrested by police under the ISA yesterday.
FreeAnwar.com webmaster Raja Petra Raja Kamaruddin and Keadilan youth executive councillor Abdul Ghani Haroon were arrested today.
Molotov cocktails
The militant tactics the police chief listed to be used by the reformasi movement were:
- taking various steps to get explosives including bombs and grenade launchers;
- using molotov cocktails, ball-bearings and other dangerous weapons to attack security forces and create chaos during street demonstrations around Kuala Lumpur such as during October 1998; and
- acquiring the assistance and support of silat (martial arts) instructors and influencing a big number of former officers and members of the security forces to join the movement.
"In an effort to curb the militant trend, police took action against 28 activists under Section 73 (1) of the Internal Security Act (ISA) 1960 between Sept 20 and Dec 24 in 1998."
Political facade
Norian said the reformasi movement returned in mid-1999 behind the facade of a political party platform, adding that a large number of the reformasi activists had been involved in activities to create racial tension using religious and racial issues.
"This includes the dissemination of false information that many Malays had been converted to Christianity during the Lunas by-election," he said.
He said the militant tactics during the Lunas by-election included reformasi activists who violently threatened, harassed and frightened voters and the public.
"In late 2000, reformasi activists decided to get involved in the democratic process and election system to realise their goals. They have also decided to use unconstitutional ways to trigger massive militant-style street demonstrations nearing the 2004 general elections," the Inspector-General said.
Secret group
A secret group made up of 20 reformasi activists had been set up in Kuala Lumpur to realise their plan to topple the government, he said.
According to the police chief, between Jan 6 and April 4 this year, 12 secret meetings were held to plan ways to influence the people to engage in street demonstrations and illegal assemblies using militant tactics as part of their campaign.
"One of the most important plans of the reformasi movement in the near future is to organise a big street demonstration called the 'Black 14' assembly in Kuala Lumpur on April 14," Norian said.
In an effort to confuse the authorities, the gathering has been termed as 'The Gathering to Handover a People's Memorandum on Human Rights' - where they plan to gather 50,000 people around Kuala Lumpur. This gathering and march has the potential to turn into a riot," said Norian.
Power to detain
He explained that the police had taken action under Section 73 (1) of the ISA because they believe they have grounds to arrest those involved in the group under Section 8 of the Act for putting the country's security at risk.
Section 73 (1) provides the police the power to detain and arrest any person without a warrant pending enquiries if it is believed that there are grounds which would justify the person's detention under Section 8; and that the person has acted or is about to act or is likely to act in any matter prejudicial to the security of Malaysia.
Section 8 allows the Home Affairs Minister power to order the detention or restriction of persons as a preventive measure to safeguard the security of the country and the person may be detained for any period not exceeding two years.
Substantiate allegation
In an immediate reaction to the police statement, Barisan Alternatif leaders said the Inspector-General of Police should substantiate his allegation that the seven arrested under the ISA (six of whom are Parti Keadilan leaders and members) were planning militant actions to topple the government.
"It is a pity the IGP's allegation against the seven cannot be examined by a court of law since the ISA denies them an open trial," said Keadilan deputy president Chandra Muzaffar in a press statement released tonight.
He said since its launch two years ago, Keadilan together with its BA partners have consistently adhered to peaceful, constitutional, democratic processes to bring about political change in the country. "Keadilan is convinced that this latest manoeuvre by the government to tarnish our party will not work. The masses who support us know our struggle and waht we stand for," he said.
Meanwhile, Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) president Dr Syed Husin Ali said by using ISA, the IGP "thinks he can get away with murder because he knows under the ISA the detainees will not be brought to court to defend themselves".
"The IGP should not allow the police force to concoct far-fetched accusations in order to justify detaining people without trial under the draconian ISA.
"PRM is most concerned that the IGP seems to have allowed himself and the police force to do the bidding of the Prime Minister who is concerned about his political survival," added Syed Husin.
