The investigation into abuse claims by a group of Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees at the Kamunting detention centre in Perak should be conducted by an independent body and not the government, the Abolish ISA Movement (AIM) said today.

The body was commenting on the visit by Deputy Internal Security Minister Noh Omar to the camp tomorrow to probe the allegations which have embarrassed Malaysian government in light of the Abu Ghraib prison abuse scandal in Iraq.

AIM secretary Yap Swee Seng said it was a conflict of interest for the deputy internal security minister to conduct the probe since the detainees were detained upon the internal security ministry's order.

"Noh's visit could be just a public relation exercise, he is not in an appropriate position to investigate the abuse claims. Suhakam (Human Rights Commission of Malaysia) is the right body to investigate," he said when contacted by malaysiakini today.

Yap also voiced his concern that the ISA detainees may not freely express their views due to fear of retribution from the authorities later on.

Lawyers barred

He cited the example of five ISA detainees who were allegedly transferred to police remand centres in Kuala Lumpur after they staged a hunger strike at Kamunting in March.

"If they can't express their views freely, how can we expect the truth to be unveiled?" he asked, adding that Noh's findings could not be verified as ISA detainees are denied access to the press.

The group of 31 ISA detainees had submitted a memorandum to Suhakam on Jan 19 outlining 59 forms of alleged abuses they had been subjected to including being forced to strip naked during interrogation, to urinate in a bottle and being forced to drink spittle. They also claimed that their interrogators had burnt their beards.

Yap also said Noh ( photo ) had also rejected a request that lawyers representing the detainees be allowed to accompany him during his visit.

He said Noh's investigation should not be confined to only the abuse claims but more significantly encompass the detainees' initial 60-day detention period where they were often held in solitary confinement at unknown locations.

Public inquiry

Under the Internal Security Act, the internal security minister initially signs the a 60-day detention without trial order which can be later extended for a further two years. Detention can be further extended indefinitely.

During the initial 60-day period, lawyers and family members are barred from visiting. Detainees have alleged that most of the incidents of abuse occurred during this period.

The AIM secretary also urged Suhakam to invoke its powers under the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act and launch a public inquiry in to the abuse claims by the ISA detainees.

"Suhakam does not need to wait for the government's approval to initiate this public inquiry. It already has the authority.

"Furthermore, the government has already said Suhakam is the most suitable body to conduct the probe and it is a high time for Suhakam to launch an investigation," Yap said.