updated version

The fiancee of an Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee criticised the government today for detaining her illegally for 13 hours in a lock-up in the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, KLIA.

Mabel Au, who is a Chinese citizen residing in Hong Kong, had arrived in Malaysia at 10.10pm on July 20 from Thailand. She planned to visit her fianc Tian Chua at the Kamunting Detention Centre where he is currently serving a two-year detention order under the Internal Security Act.

However, KLIA immigration officers barred her from entering the country, saying that she has been "blacklisted for security reasons". She was placed in a lock-up until her departure on a noon flight to Hong Kong on July 21.

"The 13-hour illegal detention and the groundless deportation is irrational," said Au, in an e-mail to malaysiakini .

Human rights violation

Other than Tian, Keadilan youth leaders Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor, Dr Badrul Amin Bahron, Saari Sungib, Lokman Noor Adam and activist-cum- malaysiakini columnist Hishamuddin Rais have been similarly detained for a period of two years since June 2.

Au claimed that throughout the ordeal she was denied food and drinks, was not allowed to make phone calls, had her SIM card (cell phone card) taken away and was only permitted to see Chua's sister Thien See, who came to meet her with a lawyer after several hours of deliberation by Immigration officers.

She considered the treatment she experienced as a "gross violation of human rights".

Au also registered concern that the reason for denying her entry into Malaysia was for security reason.

"Is the Malaysian government saying that by visiting Tian, I would bring a big impact to Malaysia's security situation?" queried Au.

"It is very obvious that the Mahathir government wants to put pressure on Tian by depriving his rights to see me," she added.

Derail participation

Au said she suspected that by putting pressure on families of ISA detainees, the government may also want to derail their participation in the Abolish ISA Movement (AIM) as the movement was successful in rallying public support.

AIM is a coalition of several non-governmental organisations, religious and student groups dedicated to garnering support for the release of the detainees and abolishment of the ISA which allows for detention without trial.

Last Sunday, Aliza Jaffar, wife of another detainee Saari, was detained in the Taiping police lock-up for participating in a demonstration outside the camp.

'Arrogant treatment' denounced

Meanwhile, Women's Agenda for Change (WAC) denounced the "arrogant treatment" accorded by the authorities on Au.

"The treatment of Au goes against the grain of human rights and democracy. The action is tantamount to a dictatorial leadership that will muzzle all forms of criticism of the government," said WAC coordinator Maria Chin Abdullah in a statement today.

WAC demanded the immigration department and the Home Ministry to allow Au free entry into the country and for her to be compensated for her trauma.

"Authorities must also give public explanation on the illegal detention of Mabel Au."

Human rights group Suaram also objected Au's 13-hour detention.

"What threat could Au possibly pose to the security of Malaysia?" asked Suaram executive director Cynthia Gabriel.

"She came through legal means, and for a legitimate reason and would leave within a few days. Now how would that constitute a threat?"

"She was never told the reasons for her deportation, apart from being informed that she was on the black list," said Gabriel.

Gabriel added that the black list must be made public to provide recourse for other persons on the list to challenge the matter in court.

"We reiterate our calls for all victimisation towards the family members of ISA detainees to stop immediately."