MIC calls for release of PSM 6
KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 The MIC has joined a growing brigade demanding the release of the six Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) members now being held under the Emergency Ordinance (EO) that allows for detention without trial for 60 days.
MIC president G. Palanivel said the continued detention of the PSM leaders was attracting unnecessary "worldwide attention" and might also impact the Barisan Nasional (BN) in the coming general election.
Palanivel said the continued detention of the PSM leaders was attracting unnecessary worldwide attention. File pic
Thirty PSM members were arrested on June 25 in the run-up to the July 9 Bersih rally for allegedly attempting to revive communism and waging war against the Agong.
Although two dozen others were subsequently released, the six were rearrested under the EO on July 2 and have yet to be released despite sustained protests from opposition leaders and human rights activists.
The six are Sungai Siput MP Dr Michael Jeyakumar, PSM deputy chairman M. Sarasvathy, central committee members Choo Chon Kai and M. Sugumaran, Sungai Siput branch secretary A. Letchumanan and Youth chief R. Saratbabu.
Palanivel advised Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to instead focus on gaining support for the 13th general election.
This is the first time an MP has been detained under the EO, which provides for detention without trial and which can be extended to two years, just like the controversial Internal Security Act (ISA).
MIC deputy president Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam has also voiced concern over the prolonged detention of the PSM 6 and urged the Inspector-General of Police and the Home Ministry to review the E! O order and to charge them in court as quickly as possible if they had indeed committed chargeable offences.
I have already informed the prime minister to release them a few days ago, except I never came out in the press because I keep a low profile, Subramaniam said.
The EO was enacted in 1969 as a temporary measure in response to the May 13 race riots.
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