Release RPK and other detainees for Aidil Fitri

Let them be united with their families

We are just days away from Hari Raya Aidil Fitri and weeks away from Deepavali. Malaysians of all races, not just Muslims and Hindus, are already in the festive mood preparing to celebrate these two auspicious days in our national calendar.

This year’s festivities are marred by the recent arrests and incarceration of a well-like national figure Raja Petra Kamaruddin under the notorious Internal Security Act (ISA). The popular blogger, fondly called RPK, has been detained without trial for 2 years for alleged threat to the security of the nation. It is difficult, almost impossible, to understand how a peace-loving, responsible and law-abiding citizen like RPK, who is loved by the majority of Malaysians of all races can be considered a threat to the security of the country.

As we are busy with all these preparations for the coming festivities we must pause to recall the great torments the ISA detainees, including RPK, the Hindraf five and about 60 others, are undergoing in Kamunting. They are treated like hardcore criminals for crimes that they have never committed.

In fact they are the elite citizens with ideas that are contrary to the government and are brave enough to express them openly. Instead of appreciating them, they are instead branded as national threats similar to terrorists, armed criminals and racists. Detaining them without trial is a great injustice and a breach of basic human rights of any individual and goes against the spirit of the Federal Constitution.

It is ironical that people like RPK are quickly arrested and detained for criticizing the government for its misdeeds but real criminals who rob the nation and stoke racial and religious hatred are left to freely roam the country.

Some of those detained in Kamunting have spent many years celebrating Hari Raya in prison away from their loved ones. Why should these patriotic citizens be denied to be united with their families when all others are allowed to do so? Isn’t that gross injustice?

Any law that allows detention without trial is unjust in modern times in a civilized society and is prone to abuse by those in power. Malaysia is a democratic country with sufficient laws to protect its sovereignty, why should we need a dictatorial law like the ISA?

If the government is truly a government of the people and for the people, as it always proclaims, it must heed the call of the vast majority of the people and release all the ISA detainees immediately as a goodwill gesture for Hari Raya Aidil Fitri. It must listen and take steps to not just review but repeal the draconian act altogether.

Dr.Chris Anthony