exclusive

Keadilan vice-president Tian Chua, currently being detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA), allegedly used the Internet and pamphlets to incite the public to join demonstrations nationwide, including in Kuala Lumpur on April 14.

According to the six charges stated in the ISA detention order when he was transferred to the Kamunting detention camp on June 2, Chua was said to be "actively involved as the main organiser for the demonstrations".

"The plan, if not contained or controlled can lead to being a threat to public safety and national security," the document stated.

Chua, Keadilan youth leaders Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor and Saari Sungib and social activist- cum - malaysiakini columnist Hishamuddin Rais are serving a two-year detention after being interrogated under the Internal Security Act for more than 45 days.

Their detention orders were signed by Home Affairs Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

'Fabricated crime'

Chua was also allegedly to have "made preparations to respond physically as well as mentally if there was confrontation with the police".

He is also accused of holding secret meetings with several reformasi activists in several locations in Kuala Lumpur between July 31 last year and April 10 this year to plan illegal street demonstrations.

In addition, he was named as one of the key organisers who stopped 20 buses which allegedly carried 'phantom voters' during the Lunas by-election November 1999.

Chua has denied all the allegations.

"As stated in the detention orders, our 'crime' was fabricated without specific and detailed evidence. Whatever we said during the investigation period was not important. Our punishment had been determined even before the investigation was completed," said Chua in a note written from the Kamunting camp.

In the recent ISA arrests, 10 reformasi activists were detained for allegedly seeking to topple the government through militant means, including via violent, mass street demonstrations. Four have been released - two by order of the Shah Alam High Court and the other two by the police.

The fates of Keadilan supreme council member Dr Badrul Amin Bahron and Youth wing leader Lokman Noor Adam, arrested on April 20 and 24 respectively, are yet to be known. Their habeas corpus applications at the Shah Alam High Court will be heard this Thursday.

Board a mockery

Meanwhile, in his note, Chua criticised Abdullah's decision to sign the detention orders which had sent him and his fellow opposition members to Kamunting.

Chua said an advisory board, set up to review the ISA detention orders, made a mockery of the legal system.

"I don't think our appeal to the board will result in anything positive," said Chua.

According to section 13(1) of the Act, a detainee can appeal to the board as least once every six months.