Press Statement by Lim Guan Eng in Petaling Jaya on Sunday, 2^nd August 2009: 

BN must disassociate itself from IGP Tan Sri Musa Hasan’s excessive, unwarranted and inhumane actions against those participating in the peaceful “Abolish ISA Gathering” by unconditionally and immediately releasing without charges the 589 people arrested 

DAP salutes the courage of more than 50,000 people who gathered peacefully in Kuala Lumpur to demand the abolition of the ISA which allows detention without trial and is abused as a political weapon against opponents of BN. The arrests of 589 people by police yesterday constitute a Malaysian historic record for the largest number of arrests for one single event.

DAP congratulates Gerakan Mansuh ISA(GMI) and its co-ordinator Syed Ibrahim Syed Nor, for successfully focusing world attention on ordinary Malaysians’ yearning for freedom, basic human rights and justice by demanding an immediate repeal of the ISA. The BN must take heed of the repugnance of the people towards ISA and that arresting more people would not deter or diminish the people’s cry to end such an unjust law.

DAP condemns the harsh police action meted by IGP Tan Sri Musa Hasan that was not only unwarranted, excessive and inhumane including arresting 13 year old and 16 year old boys. Something is very wrong with our IGP when the police arrest and even remand 13 year old boys instead of criminals.

If BN is sincere about holding discussions on the ISA, then it must first agree to discuss with GMI and the opposition parties about abolishing the ISA. BN must also disassociate itself from IGP Tan Sri Musa Hasan’s excessive, unwarranted and inhumane actions against those participating in the peaceful “Abolish ISA Gathering” by unconditionally and immediately releasing without charges, the 589 people arrested.

*Lim Guan Eng, DAP Secretary-General & Penang Chief Minister; Member of Parliament for Bagan