Media Statement by Tony Pua in Petaling Jaya on Friday, 8^th May 2009:

Hishammuddin's U-turn decision - release 13 ISA detainees

DAP fully welcome the U-turn decision by the Home Affairs Ministry to release all Hindraf leaders as well as 10 others who are still detained under the Internal Security Act.

Only 2 days ago, the Home Affairs Minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein had unequivocally declared that the Ministry will not bow to what it termed as a "threat" by ISA detainee M. Manoharan who had announced that he may relinguish his post as Kota Alam Shah assemblyman as he is unable serve his constituents in detention.

We are pleased that the Government has finally decided to listen to the demands of the people and the civil society and do the right thing by releasing our DAP colleague and many other ISA detainees to avoid what can only be regarded as an "unnecessary" by-election should it have been held due to his resignation.

We also call upon the Minister to release these detainees on an unconditional basis which will not restrain their movements as well as freedom of speech, unlike the conditions which were imposed on the 2 previously released detainees, V. Ganabathirao and R. Kengatharan. The latter have strict curfew hours, travel restrictions and gagged from speaking at public engagements and to the media.

It will be a total mockery for the Kota Alam Shah assemblyman if such restrictions were to be placed on him for it would be nearly impossible to serve his constituents.

We would also like to take this opportunity to call upon the Home Affairs Minister to priortise the reform or abolishment of the Internal Security Act as announced by the Prime Minister, immediately engage all political parties and non-governmental organisations for dialogue and discussion of the Act so that the Parliament will be able to pass the new, and we hope, vastly improved laws by the June sitting this year

* Tony Pua Kiam Wee, DAP National Publicity Secretary & MP for Petaling Jaya Utara