Media Statement
Detention in Kamunting
Aliran is troubled that 48 Malaysian citizens who had peacefully dispersed after gathering in Kamunting were arrested without a cause.
These are peaceful and concerned Malaysians who had turned up to commemorate the nefarious Operation Lalang's 14th Anniversary, when the rule of law was blatantly flouted to serve Barisan Nasional's political expediency.
From the reports we have received, we understand that 48 Malaysians were picked up by the police and detained for investigation.
We are informed that some of the organisers had spoken to the police and agreed to disperse. Accordingly these organisers told some 200 concerned Malaysians to disperse and go back. Many did while others went to the nearby shops for refreshments.
It was at this juncture that they were detained. These people did not defy the police; they did not cause any traffic jam, and they did not pose any danger to national security.
Why then, were they detained?
There is no doubt that these arrests are politically initiated to discourage future expressions of concerns.
The BN is determined to throttle whatever little democratic space that may be available to address a long-standing grievance of 41 years involving the abuse of the ISA.
Aliran condemns this uncalled for action of the police and calls upon the BN to respect the rule of law and release all these 48 Malaysians immediately.
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