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.

Anti ISA Gathering In KL, Malaysia Disrupted By The Authorities

Malaysian police use water cannon on candlelight protest

Sunday, January 6, 2008
AFP

KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysian police used a water cannon to disperse protesters who held a candlelight vigil Saturday against internal security laws being used to hold ethnic Indian activists without trial.

Some 300 people including women and children defied a police ban and attempted to gather at the capital's Independence Square, but were barred by about 100 police including dozens of riot police.

They held a brief vigil, lighting candles and singing rights anthems, before being dispersed by riot police, several carrying tear gas, and backed by a water cannon which was briefly turned on.

The crowd scattered into surrounding streets and were chased down by police officers but no arrests were made, said organizers, who said their cause had been energized by the latest arrests under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

Five members of the Hindu Rights Action Force, which organized a mass rally in November alleging discrimination against ethnic Indians in Malaysia, which is dominated by Muslim Malays, were last month detained under the legislation.

They can be held indefinitely without trial under the law, which dates back to the British colonial era when it was used against Communist insurgents.

"Our presence tonight is to say that this is a law which is unjust," Abolish ISA Movement chairman Syed Ibrahim told reporters, adding that Malaysians of all races and religions were represented at the vigil.

Protesters urged the government to abolish the ISA, which in modern times is more commonly used against alleged Muslim militants.

"The ISA law is no longer relevant. A crime should be proved in a court of law, instead of denying people their human rights," said H. Nandakumar, a 24-year-old engineer who attended the rally.

"People are starting to realize that the government is selected by us and we don't need laws that are patronizing. We can think for ourselves -- we are not children," he told AFP.

Religious and racial issues are extremely sensitive in multi-racial Malaysia, which experienced deadly race riots in 1969.

Malays make up 60 percent of the population, with ethnic Chinese at 26 percent and Indians at eight percent.