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First task of Parliamentary Caucus on Human Rights is fact-finding visits to Kamunting and Simpang Rengam Detention Centres on recent allegations of human rights violations

 


Media Conference Statement
by Lim Kit Siang

(Ipoh, Wednesday): The first task of the Parliamentary Caucus on Human Rights is fact-finding visits to the Kamunting and Simpang Rengam Detention Centres on the recent allegations of human rights violations in these two centres. 

The cross-party Parliamentary Caucus on Human Rights was established yesterday,  the last day of the first session of the 11th Parliament, and has currently 22 Members of Parliament from both the Barisan Nasional component parties and the three Opposition parties, namely DAP, PAS and PKRN. 

The inaugural meeting of the   Parliamentary Caucus on Human Rights yesterday elected the following officials: 

Parliamentary Caucus on Human Rights 

Chairman           Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri (Padang Rengas)
Deputy Chairman Lim Kit Siang (Ipoh Timur)
Vice Chairmen     Datin Seri Dr. Wan Azizah (Permatang Pauh)
                       Kamarudin Jaafar (Tumpat)
Secretary          Chong Eng (Bukit Mertajam)
Asst. Secretary  Fong Po Kuan (Batu Gajah)

The Parliamentary Caucus on Human Rights will write to the Minister for Internal Security to ask for permission for fact-finding visits to the Kamunting and Simpang Rengam detention centres within the next fortnight, as Malaysian MPs must be in the very forefront to promote and protect human rights. 

There have been very serious allegations of maltreatment of Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees in Kamunting and counter-allegation of “rioting” made by the camp authorities against the detainees, with the latest allegation of a second incident of assault against eight ISA detainees in Kamunting last Thursday, a day after the allegation of the  first assault against 12 ISA detainees. 

With regard to Simpang Rengam, there had been serious allegations last month of a prolonged hunger-strike by over 200 prisoners arising from very bad detention conditions.

(15/12/2004)


* Lim Kit Siang, Parliamentary Opposition Leader, MP for Ipoh Timur & DAP Central Policy and Strategic Planning Commission Chairman