Six PSM leaders held under the Emergency Ordinance have been denied legal access, and their lawyers plan to file an habeas corpus application.
On Saturday, Sungai Siput MP Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj, party deputy chairperson M Saraswathy, central committee members Choo Chon Kai and M Sugumaran, national youth chief R Sarath Babu and Sungai Siput branch secretary A Letchumanan were re-arrested under the Emergency Ordinance for allegedly being involved with foreign elements and having subversive tendencies.
They were initially arrested under Section 122 of the Penal Code for waging war against the King on June 25.
Their lawyers today told FMT that they were not being allowed to meet the six detainees to discuss the legal issues.
In addition, the application to allow Sarath to take his LLB exam would depend on the police.
Similarly, Saraswathy and Sugumaran’s availability to attend a court case relating to an anti-price hike protest in 2008 would also be decided by the police.
“The reasons of arrest were also not detailed,” said lawyer Edmund Bon, one of the 20 involved in this case.
“Every citizen detained has the right to have access to lawyers. They have to be given access as soon as possible,” he told reporters at the Bukit Aman police headquarters here.
Also present were the family members of the detainees.
‘Stone age law’
Bon said that an affidavit would be filed tomorrow, adding that the legal team would also file an habeas corpus application.
“We hope that the government doesn’t have any objection as the families have grounds to file one,” he said, adding that they would specify that the police denied legal access to the six.
Bon also stressed that the detainees had not done anything to threaten security and public order.
“The police didn’t want to use ISA because they are afraid of international attention but EO is equally draconian because it provides for 60 days of questioning and two years in detention.
“Their arrest under EO is politically motivated. There is no evidence or statement to prove that they are threatening national security,” he said.
“It is a blatant abuse of power. It is a law of the Stone Age, not necessary for a country like Malaysia,” he added.
Health concerns
Meanwhile, Bon also expressed concern over the health status of the detainees.
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Speaking to reporters, Saraswathy’s niece, N Sasi Indradevi, 27, said her family was concerned about the PSM leader’s health.
“We fear for her health and safety. She was having high fever prior to getting detained.
“We will not accept the police’s words on her condition until the lawyers and we, the family, meet her ourselves,” she said.
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