Abolish the ISA Movement (GMI)

From Malaysiakini

The Abolish the ISA Movement (GMI) chairperson Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said GMI, a coalition of civil society groups opposing the ISA, vowed that GMI would continue to lobby public support against the ISA.

GMI (Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA) is a coalition of more than 80 civil society groups opposing the draconian Internal Security Act.

V Raidu, brother of another detained Hindraf leader V Ganabatirau, told Malaysiakini, “I’m not just supporting my brother but all ISA detainees. I know the pain the detainees’ family go through.”

The police today used water cannon to disperse a crowd who had earlier defied a ban and successfuly held a short candlelight vigil at Dataran Merdeka.











“We wanted it to be a peaceful gathering, despite the police restrictions. We didn’t want to be confrontational,” chairperson Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said.

GMI submitted the appeal yesterday in a bid to reverse the Dang Wangi district police’s decision to deem the vigil illegal.

However, activists and family members of Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees will still try to hold the vigil near Dataran Merdeka, said Syed Ibrahim when contacted this morning.

The police have closed Jalan Raja, opposite Dataran Merdeka, to prevent people from gathering at the historical square. They have also advised motorists to avoid the road.

Yesterday, Dang Wangi OCPD ACP Zulkarnain Abdul Rahman claimed that GMI had “refused” to submit an application form for the gathering when told to do so during a meeting on Wednesday.

GMI however refuted this, claiming that the documents had already been submitted on Dec 26, 2007 which was followed up by a letter on Dec 28.

Zulkarnain had acknowledged the letter and replied on Jan 2, stating that the permit to hold the event was denied among others, on grounds of national security and that GMI was not a formally registered body.

The vigil was suppose to take place last month on Dec 22 following the ISA detention of five Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders on Dec 13, but was postponed after the police insisted that a permit be sought.

Syed Ibrahim added that GMI was also adamant in proceeding with the vigil to reaffirm their rights to assemble peacefully as enshrined under the Federal Constitution.

Zulkarnain had said stern action would be taken against individuals involved in an illegal assembly under the Police Act.