It is dismaying to hear about the arrest of Ong Boon Keong and another person last night. Ong had been trying to talk to Penang Chief Minister Koh Tsu Koon last night in Krian Road about the plight of those affected by the repeal of Rent Control.

Ong (better known as Organic Ong for his commendable efforts in promoting organic farming) has been at the forefront of a group called SOS, who have been victims of the repeal of rent control. These low-income victims now have to pay much higher rental, in many cases three or four times higher. If they are unable to pay these higher rentals, they face eviction. Many of them have nowhere to go.

There is a crisis in Penang now as a result of the ruling coalition's move to repeal Rent Control without looking into adequate compensation or alternative low-cost housing for the tenants affected. Ong is not responsible for this crisis. He was merely responding to it in solidarity with the thousands of affected tenants.

For some time now, Ong and his friends have been trying to meet Koh, including attempting to talk to him at his public functions. Unfortunately, during the latest attempt last night, Ong and another demonstrator were detained. No one was reported hurt during the attempt and no public property was damaged. It would therefore be ridiculous if he were to be charged by the police under the Penal Code for rioting or illegal assembly when he is produced in court on Monday.

We note that it is likely that Ong will be in custody over the weekend. We want the authorities to guarantee that he will not be hurt and that his dietary needs - he is a vegetarian - will be attended to.

We uphold the right to hold peaceful demonstrations as an integral part of the universally accepted right to freedom of expression. Aliran therefore calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Ong and the other person and urges the authorities not to go on a witch-hunt. To defuse the crisis following the repeal of Rent Control, the state government should immediately set a cap on rental hikes and ensure adequate compensation and alternative affordable housing for affected tenants.