Media Statement (2) by Lim Kit Siang in Petaling Jaya on Friday, 8^th May 2009: 

Hishammuddin’s announcement of ISA release of 13, including three Hindraf leaders, welcome but why can’t the releases be immediate today in keeping with the Najib motto of “Performance Now”?

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein’s announcement of the release of 13 Internal Security Act detainees, including the three Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders, P Uthayakumar, M Manoharan, T Vasanthakumar, is most welcome.

However, why is Hishammuddin unable to release them immediately today instead of the “next two or three days”.

If the police can effect arrests with immediate effect, why can’t they effect releases when such a decision is taken?

Is Hishammuddin aware that one of the three mottos of the new Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, is “Performance Now”?

It does not speak well for the competence and efficiency either of the Home Minister or the Special Branch if they cannot release all the 13 by today, instead of having to wait the “next two or three days”.

If there is no way to effect the immediate release of the 13 today, then the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of KPIs for Ministers, Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon should take note, as the KPI of Hishammuddin should be downgraded for disregard of Najib’s “Performance Now” motto.

*Lim Kit Siang, DAP Parliamentary leader & MP for Ipoh Timor