An Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee currently on a hunger strike at the Kamunting Detention Camp in Perak was allegedly told by its officials that he will not be taken to a hospital if his condition deteriorates due to the current general election period.

In a statement today, Abolish ISA Movement (AIM) secretary Yap Swee Seng said Ahmad Tajuddin Abu Bakar had informed the movement about this via a letter dated March 12.

The detainee also claimed that a camp warder 'advised' him that he 'could last more than 60 days' if he followed the Muslim method of fasting which allows for food and drink before sunrise and after sunset.

Ahmad Tajuddin had earlier refused food and water altogether but has since allowed himself water in the night.

He is one 16 detainees, all arrested in 2001 on allegations that they are members of the Kumpulan Mujahiddin Malaysia (KMM) terror group, whom have embarked on a hunger strike to protest the extension of their ISA detention orders last September.

Since the strike on March 2, several of the protesters had to be hospitalised temporarily, including Nik Adli, the son of PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat.

Yap said he believed the threat to deny medical aid to Ahmad Tajuddin and the other 15 detainees was politically motivated as their hunger strike was negative publicity and could jeopardise the ruling Barisan Nasional's (BN) chances in the forthcoming polls.

Citizen's right

He added AIM urges the government not to place the interests of political parties above that of the ISA detainees' as "it is a basic principle of humanity to extend health and medical care to those in need".

AIM said it has also been informed by the families of two other detainees on the hunger strike that they have been sent to a hospital but no further details were available.

The movement also urged the government to allow all ISA detainees who are registered voters to exercise their right during the polls on March 21.

"Every citizen's right to vote is enshrined in Article 119 of the Federal Constitution and ISA detainees should not be barred from voting," said Yap.

He also reiterated the movement's call that all ISA detainees be either immediately released or charged in an open court .