With tears in her eyes, Maria Chin Abdullah's sister today urged the government to release Maria immediately.

"I was almost in tears when I heard that she was arrested, but I say we need to be strong.

"We must keep fighting for Maria's release and abolish Sosma. This is a cruel law," Cynthia Chin told a press conference today at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall.

She was visibly upset and choked-up when she spoke about her sister.

Representatives of some 80 NGOs were present to show solidarity in the fight for Maria's release.

Maria was arrested on the eve of the Nov 19 Bersih 5 rally and is being held under the Security Offences (Security Measures) Act 2012, purportedly over documents seized during a police raid at Bersih's office on Nov 18.

Shocked by use of Sosma for arrest

Cynthia said she thought the police would only detain her sister for two days when she was told last Friday that Maria had been arrested.

"We thought that they may keep Maria away from the rally for two days and release her on Sunday.

"But on Saturday, we were informed, and the police actually sent the documents, to say that she was being investigated under Sosma.

"We were totally devastated and I didn't know how to tell our father about it. It was only late that evening that I informed him she was arrested," Cynthia said.

She said she was also shocked that police were using Sosma to investigate her sister.

"How could she (Maria) be arrested under Sosma? What has she done wrong? She is not a terrorist, she is not a criminal.

"If the police said that she (Maria) wants to topple the government, why has she been fighting for electoral reform for so many years?" said Cynthia.

The home has become silent

Cynthia said that until last Sunday, when they suddenly told that they could go and visit Maria, it was only then that she told their father the real story.

"After the visit, he (father) went home and he was quiet. He hardly talked to anybody.

"If you go inside the house, it is so full of feelings," Cynthia said in trying to describe the feelings of the family members.

She condemned the police for putting Maria alone in a small, windowless cell as a means to weaken her, mentally and physically.

"And there are also some of those who are anti-Bersih and who are trying to tarnish her reputation.

"So I ask everyone to believe in Bersih. Bersih has always been for the rakyat, Bersih is a voice for the rakyat," Cynthia said.

Talk about mother till late in the night

She said she and Maria's three sons were attending the many activities that were being held in solidarity with Maria.

"Although two of them (Maria's sons) are having their exams... but every night, before they sleep, they will discuss on ways to fight for their mother’s freedom.

"They will even knock on my door at 2am and chitchat with me," said Cynthia.

Also at the press conference, Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia (GBM) president Zaid Kamaruddin read out a joint statement signed by 80 NGOs, calling on the government to release Maria.

Zaid said the detention of Maria under Sosma violated the Federal Constitution.

"The act of the police in arresting leaders of civil society movements and opposition parties before they can exercise their constitutional right to rally is not only mala fide, but the act is also a blatant abuse of powers and in violation of the constitution.

"Maria Chin Abdullah is no terrorist. The use of Sosma against Maria to stop her from leading the Bersih 5 rally has proven that the government will not hesitate to use the law to cover up the abuse of powers and corruption in the government," Zaid added.

Five demands of the NGOs

Among the demands of the NGOs made in their joint statement are:

  • The release of Maria Chin Abdullah, immediately and unconditionally;
     
  • To provide Maria unlimited access to her lawyers and her family members while she is under detention;
     
  • For the authorities to preserve and ensure the mental and physical well-being of Maria while in detention and to accord her prompt medical treatment when required;
     
  • For the National Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) to visit Maria regularly at the secret detention place she is being held in order to ensure her rights and well-being; and
     
  • For the inspector-general of police to be more professional and transparent in upholding the laws and for the government to abolish the draconian Sosma.