AHRC UA990415 Malaysia 15 April 1999
ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION URGENT APPEAL
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 arrested 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. During Tian Chau’s interrogations the police were harsh and he was beaten. Tian Chua was recently named vice president of new National Justice Partyheaded 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.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
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.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
We encourage you to write appeal letters requesting the following:
to drop the charges against those arrested as they were exercising their right to freedom of expression;
to release the detainees unconditionally,
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
express concern with Judge Augustine Paul’s conviction of Anwar and call for the dismissal of his conviction and his immediate release.
SEND APPEALS TO:
Dato Abdulah Badawi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs, Jalan Dato’ Onn, 50502 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Faxes: 603 – 230 1051
Acting Inspector General of Police, Tan Sri Norian Mai, Ibu Pejabat Polis Persekutan, Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Faxes: 603 – 291 0707
CC COPIES OF APPEAL TO:
Mr. Kapil Sibal, Chair, Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, c/o Centre for Human Rights, Palais des Nations , 8-14, avenue de la Paix, 1211 Geneva 10 , Switzerland, fax to: (41-22) 917.01.23, email: webadmin.hchr@unog.ch
Permanent Mission of Malaysia to the United Nations, 42, Rue de Lausanne, 1201, Geneva, Switzerland., Tel: (022)32-83-40, 32-10-77
and Diplomatic representatives of the Malaysia accredited to your country
