A memorandum submitting event turned nasty for six members of the Abolish ISA Movement (GMI) today when they were kicked out of the Indonesian Embassy in Jalan Tun Razak.

The six GMI members were forced to leave the embassy by two security guards while they were waiting to meet a representative from the embassy.

Led by GMI spokesperson E Nalini ( photo ), the group gathered inside the Indonesian Embassy to submit a memorandum calling the Indonesian government to demand Malaysia to release eight Indonesian citizens detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

After waiting for half an hour, the group was approached by two security guards who asked the group to disperse because the officer who is responsible to meet the group was not in.

While Nalini tried to argue to be allowed to submit the memorandum, the security guard shouted at the group: “Get out! Get out!”. One of the security guard also threaten to confiscate Malaysiakini reporter’s camera if she continue taking pictures.

Later the security guard took the memorandum but refused to confirm whether he will hand it to the ambassador.

Disappointed

Wife of detainee Abdullah Minyak Silam, Siti Norma Ismail - a Malaysian - expressed her deep disappointment of the incident.

“We were never treated like this when we were in any other embassies. We are talking about serious matter concerning their own citizens. I will report this to the Indonesian government of the manner we were treated today,” she said.

According to her, she has posted, faxed and e-mailed the memorandum to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Indonesia’s Ministry of Justice and Human Rights in December. The procedure required her to submit the memorandum to the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

When met outside the embassy, Nalini said that she was disappointed with what transpired today. She said that as an embassy, it should open the doors to listen to matters regarding Indonesian citizens.

“We have called and sent faxes to set an appointment with the embassy three times but there were no response. We even have the copy of the faxes that we sent. This kind of conduct is certainly unprofessional.” she said.

Memorandum

In the memorandum addressed to Indonesia Minister of Justice and Human Rights Andi Mattalatta, Siti Normah called the Indonesian government to demand Malaysia to release eight Indonesian citizens who are currently being detained under the ISA at the Kamunting Detention Camp.

Her husband, Abdullah Minyak, who has been detained since Jan 14, 2002, has also been stripped off his Malaysian permanent resident (PR) status.

Besides Abdullah Minyak, the seven Indonesian under detention are Shahrial @ Syahrial Sirin, Ahmad Zakaria, Zakaria Samad, Terhamid Dahlan, Mahfudl Saifuddin, Mulyadi and Ariffin. All of them suspected to be Jemaah Islamiah (JI) members.

GMI has been actively involved with campaigns to call for the abolishment of the ISA. The law allows Malaysia to detain people without trial.