Shut down Kamunting detention camp - this was among the demands made by the Abolish ISA Movement (GMI) to the newly elected members of Parliament and state assemblypersons from opposition parties today.

gmi anti isa street campaign 010807 syed ibrahim Its president, Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh, told a press conference that GMI has high hopes for the agenda to be continued as many opposition leaders are now parliamentary legislators.

In general, the election results is a clear message from Malaysians that they do not support the draconian law, he said.

Fourteen from 17 candidates of opposition parties, who were ex-ISA detainees won their seats during the just-concluded general election. Eleven of the 14 candidates contested in parliamentary seats.

E Nalini, campaign co-ordinator from Suaram said the new Perak state government of PAS, DAP and PKR should push for the closing down of the Kamunting detention camp.

She added that the five new state governments should react progressively and come out with resolution to the federal government to demand for the abolishment of the ISA.

Also present at the press conference are GMI members - Nuridah Mohd Salleh, Mohd Azemi Azman Johari, Norlaila Othman and Animah Ferrar.

Release Manoharan

GMI also called for the release of M Manoharan, one of the five Hindraf leaders currently detained under the ISA. He won the the Kota Alam Shah state seat on a DAP ticket, beating Ching Su Chen from Gerakan with 7,184-vote majority.

"To deny the people’s right when they have voted their representative, is a violation of human rights. That’s why he should be released immediately." said Syed Ibrahim.

Although GMI is pestering for the release of Manoharan, it is still not giving up the fight for the release of 100 ISA detainees, many of whom are political victims and have been detained for more than six years.

According to Norlaili Othman, from GMI’s Family Support Committee, a group comprising wives of several ISA detainees, eight detainees who have been detained for six years had their detention order extended for another two years, a day before the general election.

Norlaili, whose husband is also detained under the draconian law, said no explanation was given on the extension except they were given a letter from the warden to sign. The letter is said to be issued by the prime minister, who is also the minister of internal security.

"Such is the value of freedom given by the prime minister to all the detainees." she said.

GMI who admitted that the issue of the ISA is seldom brought up in Parliament previously, is ready to assist the new MPs in terms of support and data to ensure they can deliver the issue effectively in Parliament.

Currently, there are over 100 people detained under the ISA and 20 of them for more than six years.

Response on ISA abolishment

m moorthy 301205 m manoharan Meanwhile, contacted by Malaysiakini today, S Pushpaneela, wife of M Manoharan ( photo ), said the 100 ISA detainees should be released immediately because the detainees are no threat to the country.

Phuspa, who is currently managing his husband’s law firm in Kuala Lumpur, was in Klang earlier this week to thank the electorate who voted for her husband.

When contacted, Batu MP Chua Tian Chang said all the MPs from PKR are totally against the draconian law.

"At every opportunity we will work to oppose it." he said.

Tian Chua, arrested under the ISA in 2001, also expressed confidence that the law can be abolished this year.

Padang Serai parliamentarian N Gobalakrishnan said the ISA should be abolished, emphasising that the ISA affects not only the detainees but also their families.

Gobalakrishnan, detained under the ISA for 51 days in 2001, added that by detaining people without trial shows that the government is weak.

"Many states swung because of the people's power, so the people's sentiments should be respected. It is the people's power that moves to abolish the ISA."

DAP, PKR and PAS have stated in their manifestos that they will abolish the ISA. The opposition won 82 parliamentary seats, denying the two-third majority held by BN for four decades.