It may shock a lot of people, but according to Saari Sungib, the author of the book, ‘Derita Penjara Tanpa Bicara: Kisah Kekejaman Akta Zalim’ (Detention without Trial: The Ugly Side of the Draconian Law), vulgarity is often used by Special Branch (SB) officers during interrogation.

 

The Hulu Kelang state representative said there is even a ‘script’ used, which is assigned by the head of the SB known as ‘Bos No 1 SB’.

Bypassing even the inspector general of police, this officer reports directly to the prime minister, who was also the minister of home affairs during Saari's detention in Kamunting from 2001 to 2003.

 

The SB officers carrying out the interrogation were never allowed to question the script given by 'Bos No 1 SB'.

 

For example, when the officer is assigned by the 'Bos No 1 SB' to repeat a certain line, like calling Anwar Ibrahim ‘Dajjal’, his job was to repeat it over and over during the entire 60 days of an ISA detainee’s interrogation.

 

There were also many stories involving vice told to detainees who were seen as more religious in disposition, to wear them down.

 

“Whether these stories were true or not, the officers were unashamed when they told the stories,” Saari said.

“These were Muslim men interrogating fellow Muslims. One particular officer even had the title of ‘haji’.”

 

In one of the chapters of his book, Saari described how vulgar words like ‘f***’ and ‘f*****’ were used against Dr Munawar Anees, accused of being a homosexual partner with Anwar Ibrahim, during his detention at Kamunting.

 

“Being shouted at repeatedly with these vulgar words were enough to torture and break the spirit, as well as dismantle the defences of (Dr Munawar),” Saari recounted. “Even I was tortured with all sorts of vulgarity to the point that I was greatly stressed.”

 

'Tiger' shows

In his second detention, the SB officers who were interrogating him repeatedly told him of the ‘tiger shows’ that they had witnessed, when they were assigned to monitor vice. “These were not tigers in the circus ring, but the Thai girl shows,” he said.

 

“They laughed as they recounted their own experiences in front of the detainees who was supposed to be interrogated under the National Security Act!”

 

From the way some of the stories were told, Saari said “it was difficult to know if these SB officers understood the boundaries between the punishment of sin and heavenly reward, in their bid to please their boss as they strived to carry out his orders.”

 

Saari shared a story about a State police chief who was retiring. “One of the investigating officers, who was arranging the itinerary for him was asked to look for a young girl to spend time with during his trip overseas,” he wrote. “Clearly, for those of us who had to endure those stories told one after another, and the use of vulgarity throughout the interrogations, it was another form of torture.”

 

This, Saari, revealed that it was one of the techniques used by the SB officers to drain off the energy of the ISA detainees.

“Anyone who is being detained should be aware of these tactics used, and endure the various types of torture used during detention,” he said. “My job as the author of this book is to expose these things that are done in secret.”

 

Saari’s book will be launched tomorrow, 8pm at the Dewan Sivik MBPJ by Opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim. He will personally be there to autograph the books purchased by his supporters.

 

STEPHEN NG is an ordinary citizen with an avid interest in following political developments in the country since 2008.