The Abolish ISA Movement (AIM) finds it difficult to believe the government's version of the Dec 8 Kamunting detention centre riot.

In a statement released yesterday, AIM wonders how a routine spot-check went awry and calls for an independent inquiry into the matter.

"We opine that spot-checks are a normal occurrence and have been smoothly conducted on numerous occasions before," it said.

The spot-check on Dec 8 is considered 'unusual' because many Unit Keselamatan Penjara (Prisons Security Unit) personnel were deployed for this check and they came equipped with tear gas, shields and batons.

"There was also three Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) trucks and 20 private vehicles lined-up right from the centre's main gate to the camps," said AIM's Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh in a statement.

Syed, who is AIM's working committee chair, found this fact particularly odd, puzzling and surprising.

"We also understand that wives of detainees were not allowed to meet their husbands earlier that day".

At a press conference yesterday, Deputy Internal Security Minister Chia Kwang Chye told reporters that 74 prison officers were sent to conduct the spot check on this particular occasion.

The government's account of the events is that the inmates prevented officers from conducting the check and when the officers got around to it they discovered the 'weapons'. The inmates were then said to have retaliated.

Handicraft tools = Weapons

AIM, an umbrella body for 82 organisations which declares it does not condone acts of violence and operates on policies of peaceful and constructive dialogue, is dumbfounded with reports that claimed weapons were used.

It was reported in local dailies that 24 home-made knives, 19 metal wires, 11 sharpened parts of badminton rackets, 10 scissors and three foldable knives were among items seized after the riots.

AIM added that mobile-phones, batteries, a charger and a cd were seized.

"It is our understanding that these weapons were in-fact handicraft tools used by inmates to fill up their free time. The camp authorities knew of its existence and its usage for making tissue boxes, pencil containers, etc.

"Their produce was sold to the public during the recent Ramadan season and it is also sold by family members for inmates' pockets money to buy necessary amenities," said Syed.

The movement, which has close contacts with Kamunting's ISA detainees and their families clarified that the badminton rackets were used for recreation and broken rackets were sent for repairs and not kept by inmates.

Independent investigator

AIM has urged an independent investigation be conducted on the allegations and the incident by the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam), the Bar Council and independent lawyers to ascertain the truth of the matter.

"It is imperative that this happens because it possibly involves human rights violations. Till today - the third day - no Suhakam representative has been allowed in the camp to visit injured detainees and to identify the actual cause of the incident," said Syed.

The move to keep Suhakam in the dark has been defended by Chia.

The organisation noted that the detainees, who are under full-time supervision and close watch by prison guards, are bound to follow the centre's rules and are not allowed to purchase their own items without the camp authorities' approval.

"It is not easy for detainees to posses prohibited items. If they are accused of having the weapons, then the prison authorities must be fully responsible for not ensuring the rules were adhered to," he added.

AIM also found it illogical that family members were alleged to have smuggled in the items as they are thoroughly checked on each visit. Metal detectors are used and full body searches conducted, it said.

Legal intervention

Meanwhile, AIM's lawyer Edmund Bon (photo left), in a letter to the prime minister and the camp's officer-in-charge, asked for the whereabouts of nine detainees who were beaten during the riot and now place in an undisclosed location.

"During the spot check, four of the nine were beaten bloody. One was even handcuffed when beaten," said Edmund in the letter, a copy of which was furnished to malaysiakini .

Providing the names of the nine, Edmund urged the authorities to respond to his request while highlighting the fact that his clients have not been given adequate information and explanation of the incident.

He urged that something be done to end such treatments of detainees and for an investigation to be conducted and for those officers, implicated in the beating, to be punished.

The government has said that some 20 officers were injured in the riot, with some suffering from breathing difficulties due to molotov cocktails thrown by the rioters.