‘Uthaya not required to appear before ISA panel’
(The Star) PUTRAJAYA: No action will be taken against former Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee P. Uthayakumar for failing to appear before an ISA advisory panel meeting at the Kamunting Detention Centre in Taiping on Tuesday.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said he was informed that Uthayakumar’s presence before the panel was not a condition for his release (from ISA detention).
Asked about Uthayakumar’s refusal to sign the conditions of his release from ISA detention, he said: “The fact he did not sign it is not against the law, and it will not affect the release.”
Hishammuddin, however, said he viewed seriously the statements being made by Uthayakumar concerning street demonstrations and his accusations and threats against the government, particularly the ministry.
“We will not compromise on this matter and if laws are broken, we will take the appropriate action,” he said.
On the review of several laws under the purview of the ministry, Hishammuddin said: “All preventive detentions, those involving assemblies and issues regarding free speech will be reviewed, and most probably will be more lenient.
Asked on police action in clamping down on gatherings, including small ones and candlelight vigils, and claims that their action has made it seem as if wearing black was an offence, Hishammuddin said: “It is not as simple as the way it is being painted. If they want to sue me and the Inspector-General of Police, both of us are willing to go to court and explain whatever actions that have been taken.”
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said the release of the Hindraf ISA detainees and the ban on the movement were separate matters.
He was commenting on a call by Hindraf leader P. Waythamoorthy to lift the ban on Hindraf because the release of all five Hindraf leaders from ISA proved the movement was not a threat to national security.
Nazri likened the situation with that of the banned Communist Party of Malaya long ago.
He said the members of the party were allowed to go free after they assured the Government that they would stop all activities connected to the party but the ban on the organisation itself was never lifted.
