RELEASE THE THREE MALAYSIANS DETAINED IN BURMA

Three Malaysian citizens together with 15 other human rights activists (from Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Australia and the US) were detained in Yangon on 9 August 1998 as they were leaving the country.  The three Malaysians detained are:

 Jonson Chong Kok Wey (staff of Suaram)
 Ong Ju Lian (member of Suaram)
 See Chee How (member of Burma Solidarity Group Malaysia)

Aliran understands that all of them had gone to Burma as part of an international effort in solidarity with the democratic movement in Burma.  Their entire activities while in Burma had been peaceful.  Some of them had merely been involved in distributing messages of friendship and goodwill in Burmese and English during the 10th anniversary of the Burmese Military Regime’s crackdown on students and the pro-democracy movement in 1988.  The cards read:

 We are your friends from around the world.
 We have not forgotten you.
 We support your hopes for human rights and democracy.
 8888 (8 August 1988)  - Don’t Forget - Don’t Give Up.

For this simple message which extends solidarity and friendship across the borders, these three Malaysians and 15 other foreigners have been detained.

Aliran is very concerned about the welfare of these detainees - their health, medical needs, detention conditions - as well as their whereabouts.

Aliran is further concerned that they have not been allowed to have access to family members, lawyers or the Malaysian Embassy officials.

Aliran is also disturbed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not yet expressed its concern over these arrests and called for the release of the three Malaysian citizens as have their Thai and Filipino counterparts.  We therefore, demand that Wisma Putra quickly act to contact these detainees and also the Burmese military authorities to secure the release of all three immediately.

Finally, Aliran calls upon the Burmese military authorities to release these Malaysians and the others immediately without any conditions.
 

Dr. Francis Loh
Secretary
13 August 1998