Saturday, July 30, 2011

Najib welcomes release of PSM activists


Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak maintains the country practises rule of law and welcomes the release of the six Parti Sosialis Malaysia leaders who had been detained for 28 days under the Emergency Ordinance. “It is a decision(to release) taken by the police based on their own observation.

“We accept the decision made by the police... it is up to the attorney-general to decide on the next course of action. As a sovereign country we uphold the rule of law,” said Najib in echoing an earlier statement by the inspector-general of police.This was Najib's immediate response after chairing the Umno supreme council meeting tonight.

The six PSM leaders are Sungai Siput MP Dr D Jeyakumar, Choo Chon Kai, Sarat Babu, M Sarasvathy, M Sukumaran and A Letchumanan.They were initially stopped on a bus in Penang on June 24, along with 20 others on suspicion of planning to wage war against the Agong and were served with a seven-day remand order.

However, on their release on July 2, the six were re-arrested under the EO and were brought to Bukit Aman.It was later revealed that they were detained for allegedly being “movers” for the July 9 rally organised by the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0).

However, none of the six were steering committee members of the Bersih 2.0 organisation which was declared illegal by the government. The coalition comprises of more than 60 non-governmental organisations.A habeas corpus application was also filed by the family members of the PSM 6 to secure their release, and Aug 5 was fixed for the hearing date of the application.

Many quarters locally as well as international organisations have condemned their detention under the EO which provides for detention without trial.IGP Ismail Omar in confirming the release said further action will be determined by the Attorney-General's Chambers. 


Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/171467

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