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MIC chief calls for PSM 6 to be released
Malaysia Kini - July 28, 2011
Speaking in a press conference at the party's headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Palanivel also expressed doubts that the "PSM 6" were behind anything so serious as to warrant their incarceration under the draconian act. The EO, like the Internal Security Act (ISA), allows for indefinite detention without trial.
"Don't prolong it. Keep them for a few days and let them go... if there is no valid charge, especially elected representatives," said Palanivel. "I don't think they (have done) anything serious," he added.
The remarks by Palanivel, who is also Deputy Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister, mirror those by his deputy, Dr S Subramaniam, who was yesterday quoted as having voiced concern over the prolonged detention of Sungai Siput MP Dr Michael D Jeyakumar and five other PSM activists.
Subramaniam had urged the inspector-general of police Ismail Omar and the Home Ministry to "review" the EO order against the six and to charge them in court "as quickly as possible" if they had indeed committed chargeable offences. Subramaniam was also reported as having said he had "already informed the prime minister to release them a few days ago."
At the press conference today, Palanivel said the continued detention of the six PSM activists is attracting unnecessary "worldwide attention". He also expressed concern that their continued detention would impact BN adversely in the coming general election.
"If you (watch) (the news) on the television daily, there are massive demonstrations (in other countries and the) police will use tear gas, water cannons and all others (to disperse the crowd).
"But then, they will line them up, load them in trucks and take them to the police station (where the protesters will be) kept for three or four hours and then released," Palanivel said.
However, in the case of Jeyakumar and his fellow activists who are being held behind bars for being the alleged key "movers" of the Bersih 2.0 rally on July 9, Palanivel said this was only creating a more damaging image for the country.
"The elected representatives will stay there (in detention) and (during) a general election, they don't have to leave (the cells to campaign) – they can (continue) to stay in prison and win, for the people will vote blindly," he added.
In the 2008 general election, DAP's M Manoharan won the Kota Alam Shah state seat in Selangor while he was then under ISA detention. He was the third DAP figure to have been voted into a legislative assembly while under the ISA.
'PM, focus on the 13th GE'
Stressing the possible harm to BN's chances with the prolonged detention of the six, Palanivel advised PM Najib Abdul Razak as chairperson of the BN coalition to focus on gaining support for the 13th general election.
Aware of the bad press the ruling coalition was receiving locally and internationally over the matter, Palanivel said he, too, had spoken to Najib several days ago and urged their immediate release. Jeyakumar's detention is the first time an MP has been detained under the EO.
Jeyakumar, PSM deputy chairperson M Sarasvathy, central committee members Choo Chon Kai and M Sukumaran, Youth chief R Saratbabu and Sungai Siput branch secretary A Letchumanan were initially arrested along with 24 others in Sungai Dua, Penang, on June 26 over allegations of 'waging war against the Agong'.
After their remand order expired on July 2, however, the PSM 6 were re-arrested under the EO and accused of attempting to "revive communism".
The authorities later said their detention under the EO was on the ground of their involvement with the Bersih 2.0 coalition for clean and fair elections, which the government has deemed an "illegal organisation".
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