Mahathir should demonstrate before his departure for Morocco, Libya and Bahrain tomorrow that his human rights position  has not been hardened by the September 11 events by directing that the reformasi six should be given a public trial or released immediately

(Petaling Jaya,  Sunday):  Tomorrow, the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad leaves for a week-long visit to Morocco, Libya and Bahrain and would return only after April 21, the date fixed for the extraordinary general meeting (EGM) convened by the Team B MCA faction at the Putra World Trade Centre.

This is why Mahathir has stepped in to try to resolve the MCA power struggle between the Team A and Team B factions, led respectively by MCA President, Datuk Seri Dr. Ling Liong Sik and the MCA Deputy President, Datuk Lim Ah Lek, before his departure overseas so as to avoid the final MCA rupture at the proposed MCA EGM. 

However, there is another issue which is even more important than the MCA power struggle which warrants the Prime Minister’s immediate personal attention before his departure for Morocco, Libya and Bahrain tomorrow as it directly concerns Malaysia’s international credibility and reputation as a country committed to democracy and human rights - the anniversary hunger strike by the

reformasi six ISA detainees,  Mohamad Ezam Mohamad Nor, Hishamuddin Rais, Chua Tian Chang, Saari Sungib, Badrulamin Bahron and Lokman Noor Adam,   which has entered into the fifth day and the supporting hunger strike by 15 family members and supporters which has resulted in the hospitalisation of two persons because of severe dehydration.  

If Mahathir can give his personal attention to the MCA power struggle between the MCA Team A and Team B factions, which has no bearing whatsoever on public policies or the nation’s international reputation or obligations, it is more urgent and imperative that the Prime Minister spend quality time  on the anniversary hunger strike by the reformasi six to demand public trial or immediate release under the Internal Security Act - as it has become a national and international cause celebre on Malaysia’s human rights record.  

Mahathir cannot ignore the fact that a  year after the ISA arrests, the government had failed to produce one iota of evidence to substantiate its allegations that the reformasi six had planned to use explosives and weapons including bombs, grenade launchers, molotov cocktails and ball bearings in violent street demonstrations to topple his government. 

In fact, the government could not even issue a White Paper to justify the ISA arrests on grounds of national security and stability  - unlike previous ISA arrests whether it be  the University of Malaya Chinese Language Society arrests in 1974 or Operation Lalang arrests in 1987, however spurious or fabricated those White Papers as to be dubbed as “White-wash Papers”. 

The national and international responses to the anniversary hunger strike by the reformasi six to demand a public trial or immediate release would have a different effect if not for the September 11 events in the United States. 

Nonetheless, Mahathir should demonstrate before his departure for Morocco, Libya and Bahrain tomorrow that his human rights position  has not been hardened by the September 11 events by directing that the reformasi six should be given a public trial or released immediately.  

Otherwise, Mahathir’’s overseas tour to Morocco, Libya and Bahrain would be dogged every day by the anniversary hunger strike of the reformasi six and the supporting hunger strike by the family members and supporters  - and it would be a great blot on Malaysia’s international reputation as well as on Mahathir’s 20-year rule if lives are lost or grievous impairment to health result from the hunger strike protests.  

DAP is very concerned by the state of health of the reformasi six ISA detainees on the fifth day of their hunger strike, especially the report that the Kamunting  detention centre authorities have prevented  one of the six  ISA hunger strikers from hospitalisation despite instructions from a medical expert from the Taiping Hospital.  

Dr. Badrul Amin is said to be critically ill, with the last reading of his blood pressure rising as high as 150/100 on 12th April.  

The rest of the detainees are reported to be rapidly deteriorating. Lokman Noor Adam lost 7 kg., Dr. Badrul Amin lost 5 kg., Hishamuddin Rais lost 4 kg whereas Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor, Tian Chua and Saari Sungib lost between 1.5 kg - 2 kg each day.  

In protest against the refusal of the detention authorities to hospitalise Badrul despite medical instructions, the reformasi six  ISA detainees have decided that they would not  allow any medical checkup, as  the health examination on the instruction of the detention authorities  was not for their well-being.  

Mahathir should leave very clear instructions before his departure overseas that the detainees’ family members, lawyers, doctors, SUHAKAM and all local and international human rights  organisations should be allowed access to the six ISA hunger strikers to monitor their  health conditions.

(14/4/2002)