From Lawyers for Liberty
Family demands release of disabled ISA detainee
The family of restaurant operator Kadir Hashim, who was picked up by the police under the ISA yesterday, is demanding that he be released immediately, or charged in court if there is a case against him.
“I was told that my brother was arrested under the ISA, but I am not satisfied as I don’t know exactly why was he picked up,” said Kadir’s brother Muda Hashim, 46.
Muda said if his brother had committed any crime, then he ought to be charged in court.
“If he is detained without any reason, that means that we are governed by tyrants,” Muda said at a press conference at the PKR headquarters in Petaling Jaya this morning.
Yesterday, a team of about 10 plainclothes officers arrested the 42-year old Kadir, who is without an arm, at his house in Kampung Kerinchi in Kuala Lumpur.
Until now, Muda said, the family does not know anything about Kadir’s whereabouts or his condition.
Subversive activities
Barely controlling his anger, another of Kadir’s brothers, Hisham Hashim, 43, said that he was not allowed to enter the house when his brother was picked up and was only told that he was arrested on suspicion of involvement in seditious activities.
“That reason is too general,” said Hisham, labeling the arrest as biadap (rude) of the authorities.
Lawyer and PKR vice-president N Surendran (left) related that he too was stonewalled as he tried to find the whereabouts of Kadir and the reason for his arrest.
All he got was an admission by an ACP Normah Ishak from Bukit Aman police headquarters that Kadir, who is an activist and PKR Youth member, was indeed detained at Bukit Aman and that a written request was required for more information.
Surendran said he would file a writ of habeas corpus on Kadir’s behalf, demanding his immediate release.
Hishamuddin: Arrest due to security concerns
Later in the day Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said Kadir’s arrest under the ISA was done “on grounds of security” and not because of his party affiliation said .
“It is mainly on security concerns,”said the minister when quizzed on the weekend arrest of the handicapped Kadir.
Hishammuddin (right) said he did not sign the detention order as the arrest was done by the police.
Section 73 of the ISA provides for a person to be detained for 60 days, before the minister decides whether to order for further detention.
There is talk that Kadir was arrested for alleged involvement with Cambodian militants.
PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has asked the government to prove such allegations in court rather than to detain Kadir under the ISA.
Hishammuddin said he has yet to receive details on the matter and could not comment further.
He said that Kadir was free to file the habeas corpus application to seek his release.
Salhan K Ahmad
Apr 4, 11, Malaysiakini
3:49pm
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