AHRC UA990416 Malaysia 16 April 1999
ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION PUBLIC STATEMENT
The Asian Human Rights Commission [AHRC]together with 8 others organisation and friends based in Hong Kong – delivered their \”appeal letter\” to the representative of the Malaysian Consulate here.
They read the STATEMENT and displayed posters during 15 minutes of picketing. The STATEMENT was handed to Malaysian Cousulate representative after he had listened to the reading.
Asian Human Rights Commision
_____________________________________________
16 April 1999
From: CONCERNED HONG KONG NGOs for HUMAN RIGHTS in MALAYSIA
To: Mr Ahmad Rashidi Hazizi, Consulate General of Malaysia, 25th Floor, Malaysia Building, 50, Gloucester Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong, Tel : (852) 25270921 Fax : (852) 28651628, 286 516285, E-mail : mcgzshkg@netvigator.com, mcgcons@netvigator.com
STATEMENT ON THE CONVICTION OF FORMER DEPUTY PREMIER ANWAR IBRAHIM TO 6 YEARS JAIL AND THE DETENTION OF 24 PERSONS WHICH INCLUDES MR.TIAN CHUA
Malaysian police detained 24 people following the imposition of a six year jail sentence on former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim. Tian Chua was among those detained by police after he led demonstrations of about 500 people. The riot police fired tear gas, charged with batons and water cannon laced with a yellow eye irritant to disperse protestors. Tian Chua and Abdul Malek Hussein were handcuffed and led away by police. Tian chua was repeatedly kicked after being dragged into a police truck.
The arrested included Ahmad Zaidi bin Mohamad Aris, Ahmad bin Awang, Abdul Malek Hussein, Ikhwan Abdul Jabar, Mohamed Razali bin Nordin, Tian Chau and at least 18 others. The 24 arrested would be investigated under the Police Act for rioting and illegal gatherings.
In September 1998, Abdul Malek Hussin was detained under the Internal Security Act for almost two months. On 5 December 1998, Mr. Tian Chua was freed on police bail from his second detention as the Attoney General Chambers [Malaysia] have yet to consider charges against him. Tian Chua had been arrested 3 times since September 1998; on two occasions he was assaulted in public as well as in detention.
Tian Chau was admitted to the General Hospital where he received outpatienttreatment. The police brought him to the Hospital only in the evening of 15 April 99, the day of his arrest. His injuries on his face, chest and back were very evident and was suffering from great pain.
Tian Chua was recently named vice president of new National Justice Party headed by Anwar’s wife Azizah. Tian Chua is also the Chairperson of the Gagasan Demokrasi Rakyat (Coalition for People’s Democracy) and a member of SUARAM in Malaysia. The coalition, composed of 20 human rights and opposition political groups, has demanded reform and protested against Mahathir’s 17-year rule.
10 December 1998, Tian Chua was awarded the Malaysian Human Rights Fellowship 1998, by the National Human Rights Society (Hakam) in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Former Deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim’s Detention
Mahathir fired Anwar on 2 September 1998 after deeming him morally unfit to lead the country. Shortly after his arrest on 2O September 1998, Mr. Anwar suffered a beating that left him with severe bruising on his face and neck. Many observers believe that the charges form part of a politically motivated campaign against Mr. Anwar, a chief rival of the Prime Minister.
Since September 1998 sacking of Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, several hundred people have been arrested in connection with the series of demonstrations that have taken place.Thousands of Malaysians from all walks of life came into the streets to peacefully protest the corruptions and the injustices perpetrated by the government of the day. This form of protest had never before been seen in Malaysia. Many of those arrested have been charged in court.
The trial of Anwar Ibrahim has drawn attention to the legal system, police brutality and corruption. The intensify and continues demonstrations indicates Malaysian are not willing to let the Anwar issue simply fade away. Malaysian have reiterated their call for the removal of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.
OUR CONCERNS:
WE, the CONCERN HONG KONG NGOs for HUMAN RIGHTS in MALAYSIA express our deep concern on the above situation. As expected, Justice Augustine Paul found Anwar Ibrahim guilty of corruption and sentenced the former deputy prime minister of Malaysia to 6 years of imprisonment.
WE believe that Anwar is a victim of injustice and political conspiracy. AHRC calls for Anwar’s unconditional release as we consider him a prisonerof conscience.
We call on the Malaysian authorities to release unconditionally and immediately Mr. Tian chua and all others arrested for demonstrating.
We call on the Malaysian government to respect its people’s right of association, assembly and protest, and to exercise restraint in the treatment of protesters who support Anwar.
We are very concern on the frequent abuse of power by the police against citizens who legitimately express their dissent.
We call on the Malaysian authorities to take immediate action to stop excessive use of force by police and to discipline those responsible for abuse. Yesterday, 15 April 1999, teh front-page of the Hong Kong daily, South China Morning Post, shows human right activist Tian Chua being dragged by the hair and beaten by the police.
We call on the Malaysian authorities to ensure that those arrested are not tortured physically or psychologically by police.
We call on the Malaysian government:
to drop the charges against those arrested as they were exercising their right to freedom of expression;
to call for indepenent inquiry reports of police beating detainees and the responsible to be brought to justice;
to ensure that those detained are not tortured;
the detainees have access their lawyers and family;
to release the detainees unconditionally;
Yours Sincerely,
Signed by the following Organisations and Individuals:
Asian Human Rights Commission
Asia Monitor Resources Centre
Asia Pacific Mission for Migrant Filippinos
Asian Migrant Coordinating Body
Committee for Asian Women
Clean Clothes Campaign
Far East Overseas Nepalese Associations [FEONA]
United Filippinos in Hong Kong
World Movement of Christian Workers [ASEAN Regional Coordination]
Ms.Tang Fong Har
Wong Kai Shing and Denise Tong
