Malaysia Alert

[altsean@xxxxxxxxxx]

22 Sept 1998 

SITUATION IN MALAYSIA 
(includes update) 

SUARAM is urging all NGOs and individuals to take immediate action on the
current situation in Malaysia. 

a) Arrests 
As of 10:00 am, 22nd September 1998, there are 12 individuals confirmed
detained under the Internal Security Act S 73(1)(A). According to Bukit
Aman police headquarters public relations chief, the 12 were arrested
because their actions were "prejudicial to the security of the nation". 

The 12 are as follows: 

1. Anwar Ibrahim, ex-Deputy Prime Minister 
2. Ruslan Kassim, Chief of Negeri Sembilan UMNO Youth 
3. Kamaruddin Mat Noor, Semarak state assenblyman 
4. Zahid Hamidi, UMNO Youth Chief, MP for Bagan Datoh 
5. Ahmad Azam Abdul Rahman, President of ABIM 
6. Mukhtar Redhuan, Deputy President ABIM 
7. Shaharuddin Badaruddin, Secretary General ABIM 
8. Abdul Halim Ismail, Deputy National President ABIM 
9. Kamarudin Jaafar, Chairman of Institute for Policy Research 
10. Tamunif Mokhtar, Division Head of Cheras UMNO 
11. Abdul Manan, President of National Muslim Students Association 
12. Prof. Dr. Siddiq Baba, Student Affairs Rector of International Islamic
University 

Furthermore, S. Nallakarupan, a businessman and ex-Director of Public
Relations for Magnum Corporation has been under ISA detention since July,
1998. 

A total of 126 persons detained for questioning allegedly for rioting and
illegal assembly. Most of these people were arrested from demonstrations
outside the Magistrates Court and Dataran Merdeka (Merdeka Square). As of
today at noon, they have not been brought to the courts. 

b) Police Violence 
Presently Kuala Lumpur is quiet yet tense after police violence yesterday. 

c) The Situation at Anwar?s Home 
AFP reports that the police has set up a roadblock outside the home of
Anwar Ibrahim. However, it was also reported that that a senior police
officer stated that people are still free to go to Anwar?s home. Anwar?s
wife, Dr. Wan Azizah was warned not to speak at public rallies and she
announced that there would be no more public meetings. 

d) Others 
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, in a press conference this afternoon, said
that Anwar will appear in court despite his arrest under the Internal
Security Act. He stated that "it is not their intention to arrest him under
the ISA. However, because of this incitement to violence, they want to get
more evidence against him." "But I believe it is their intention to charge
him according to the normal process." 

WHAT YOU CAN DO 
SUARAM urges you to protest and take immediate action by writing letters or
faxing to the appropriate authorities. We suggest that you include the
following demands: 

· To immediately and unconditionally release all ISA detainees or charge
them in court, 
· To condemn the use of the ISA on legitimate expressions of dissent; 
· To condemn and urge for the immediate halt in excessive use of police
force which had resulted only in violence; 
· To release all those arrested in the streets immediately or charge them
immediately; 
· To ensure that there will be no further political crackdown on supporters
of the Reformation movement, opposition parties and NGO activists; 

Please send your appeals to the following people: 

Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohammad 
Prime Minister?s Department 
Jalan Dato Onn 
50502 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 
Fax: 60-3-2984172, 2383784 

Datuk Mokhtar Abdullah 
Attorney General?s Chambers 
Jabatan Peguam Negara Malaysia, 
Tingkat 20, Bangunan Bank Negara Malaysia 
Jalan Tangsi, 
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 
Fax: 60-3-2984172 

Tan Sri Rahim Noor, 
Inspector-General of Police 
Ibu Pejabat Polis Persekutuan, 
Bukit Aman, 
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 
Fax: 603-2910707 

Please also send your protest to your diplomatic representative of Malaysia
accredited to your country. 
Please send copies to SUARAM office for our documentation. 

On the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights, please urge our Malaysian government to ratify the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. 
--------------------------------------------------------- 
SUARA RAKYAT MALAYSIA (SUARAM) 
struggling for human rights in Malaysia 

add: 11, Jalan 1A/71E, Jalan Carey, 
46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia 
tel: 60-3-7943525 fax: 7943526 
email: suaram@xxxxxxxxxxxxx, wkpeng@xxxxxxxxxxxx 
website:http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Lobby/1577

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