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"Black 14" Gathering A Success Says Opposition
by Kazi Mahmood for IslamOnline
KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - As Malaysia still reels over the arrest of the "magnificent seven" opposition members Sunday, more people are joining in condemning the International Security Act (ISA).
The latest to openly urge the government to charge those arrested under the ISA in court is Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) Youth deputy secretary-general Liow Tiong Lai, saying he hoped the government would charge them as soon as possible.
Commenting on the need for the use of the ISA, Lai said Malaysia has enough laws to handle demonstrations, including militant types.
"We fully understand the need for the government to ensure peace and protect the rights of the majority, including using the ISA.
"However, the rights of the minority or those detained, should be given a chance to be heard as soon as possible, and the court is the best forum,'' Lai said, adding that charging the ISA detainees in court would also avoid any government criticism, he added.
After the successful handing over of the "People's Memorandum" to the local Human Rights commission (SUHAKAM) Saturday, the opposition claimed victory.
The Alternative Front (AF) said a crowd of 3000 supporters gathered at the building housing SUHAKAM offices indicated evidence that the people desired peaceful demonstrations in the country, rather than violent ones.
Officials of the alliance also said police did a commendable job monitoring the situation and did not intervene to disrupt the rally. The rally had been deemed illegal because the demonstrators lacked permits, and police had warned those participating that they risked arrest.
However, the police said they did not have to intervene since the crowd did not violate guidelines given by police officers.
The opposition also said it was happy the rally ended peacefully and that there was good showing at SUHAKAM. It said the crowd would have been much bigger and peace would still have reigned if the ruling coalition did not adversely publicize the event.
The AF however, did comment that the event was overshadowed by heavy police presence. Before the event, the police issued a statement that 1,000 police personnel would be stationed around the building where SUHAKAM's headquarters was located.
Late Friday night, two water cannons were also parked nearby as all entrances to Kuala Lumpur and Selangor were blocked, with roadblocks extending as far as Melaka.
Seven reformasi and National Justice leaders are currently detained under the ISA. They are being called the "magnificent seven" by reform movement supporters in Kuala Lumpur.
Police cited the event as a threat to national security and hence the arrest of the seven was a pre-emptive strike to maintain peace. They were also accused of attempting to acquire weapons to mount an uprising against Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.
Opposition parties, non-governmental organizations and rights groups, as well as member parties of the ruling coalition, have voiced concern over the use of the ISA to arrest the opponents.
On Monday, a group of lawyers representing those arrested will press for a habeas corpus to debate "illico presto" in the courts in a bid to secure the release of the prisoners.
"Now that the event has taken place peacefully, is Norian Mai, the Inspector General of Police releasing the detainees as soon as possible?" asked a member of the NJP.
The activists have been detained for six days and their families have been denied access to them since then.
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