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'Free PSM 6' cries boom out at court complex
Malaysia Kini - July 22, 2011
Chants for the freedom of the PSM 6 echoed through the usually stuffy corridors of the High Court as the demonstrators were watched by policemen.
The applications of the PSM 6, who have been held held without trial under the EO for the last three weeks, was heard before Justice Su Geok Yiam.
Police have said in their statements that the six PSM officials – Choo Chon Kai, R Saratbabu, M Letchumanan, M Sarasvathy, A Sukumaran and Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj – were arrested for promoting the July 9 Bersih 2.0 rally. None has been charged with any crime.
The PSM 6 have been held by police since June 30, even before the home minister declared Bersih an illegal organisation. Bersih steering committee chairperson Ambiga Sreenavasan was released on the same day she was arrested during the rally, without any charge pressed against her.
"From day one, we knew that this EO arrest was mala fide... (the authorities) are just buying time," PSM secretary-general S Arutchelvan told Malaysiakini outside the High Court.
At the end of the day, he said, it was basically the decision of the home minister whether to release them or not. It was clear, Arutchelvan said, that the PSM 6 were arrested in an attempt to prevent the Bersih 2.0 rally from going ahead.
After police failed to stop the rally, he said, "they are trying to cook up other things... it's ridiculous. Bersih is over and done with."
Asked if he knew why a decision on the release of the PSM 6 had been dragging on, despite international condemnation of the arrests, Arutchelvan replied wryly, "I was told the home minister is on holiday, and the prime minister is overseas."
Both Premier Najib Abdul Razak and Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein have tried to pass the buck to the police.
"They and Nazri (Abdul Aziz, de facto law minister) claim it is the police call. That means they're basically saying this a police state... this was the same excuse given by (former premier) Dr Mahathir Mohamad before, blaming the police force," Arutchelvan added.
The PSM 6 were not produced in court today, in keeping with Malaysian judicial practice in habeas corpus hearings since 1987. Since then, "only brave judges have demanded the detainees' appearance in court," Arutchelvan said.
'Police made wild allegations'
A Yazid Alias, a PAS Gombak division representative who was present at the court complex, told Malaysiakini that PAS members felt that the police statements against the PSM 6 were baseless.
"The police have made wild allegations. If there is any evidence that they are a threat, waging war against the King and so on, we call for them to be put on trial.
"This is our right as the citizens of Malaysia. We from PAS feel these rights are demanded by law and the religion as well. We hope they will receive support from all the Malaysian people."
Azlan Maddin, another PAS Gombak representative, said, "Bersih is being used as a tool by the police to make all kinds of accusations against (the PSM 6), and I stand against this. "I hope the families (of the detainees) will be patient while they're waiting for a favourable outcome."
At Bukit Aman, after Friday prayers, there was a larger turnout as some 500 demonstrators comprising members of PSM, Pakatan Rakyat and NGOs echoed calls for the immediate release of the PSM 6.
They also handed a memorandum, addressed to inspector-general of police, from 90 NGOs, political parties and university student organisations calling for an immediate release of the six detainees, a stop to the violation of human rights and the repeal of all laws providing for detention without trial.
Among those present were Batu MP Tian Chua of PKR, Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo of DAP and Kuala Selangor MP Dzulkefly Ahmad of PAS. Arutchelvam led the calls for their release.
Two British tourists, who would only identify themselves as Laura and Alex, were not deterred by the protest, saying, "We weren't bothered at all. We have demonstrations all the time at home, and we value the freedom of speech. We're enjoying KL."
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