Media Statement by Tony Pua in Petaling Jaya on
Friday, 12nd September 2008:
DAP demands Raja Petra be
unconditionally released from ISA detention
The DAP strongly and unreservedly
condemns the undemocratic and draconian measure by the Barisan Nasional
Government of utilising the Internal Security Act (ISA) to detain
popular blogger, Raja Petra Kamaruddin for his vocal criticisms against
the Government.
We demand for his immediate and unconditional release from detention
under ISA. This demand includes the immediate and unconditional release
of other political prisoners, detained without trial for their anti-Barisan
Nasional views such as the Hindraf 5 who were arrested in December last
year.
If Raja Petra has committed any wrongs under Malaysian laws, the Barisan
Nasional government should charge Raja Petra accordingly in open court.
Under our laws, a man is innocent until proven guilty.
The reluctance of the federal government is pursuing the matter in open
court reflect its ill-intent to protect dark vested interests.? This
move to utilise the ISA against a blogger who has not demonstrated any
violent ?terrorist? tendencies marks a clear cut abuse of power by the
Prime Minister and his Home Affairs Minister.
This signals a growing desperation among Barisan Nasional politicians,
and more sinisterly, a possible start in draconian crackdown against all
BN critics in this country.
The Government's move will only strengthen the resolve of DAP and its
Pakatan Rakyat partners as well as the Malaysian public that a change in
Government is not only preferable, it is absolutely necessary to ensure
that Malaysia will have a bright future ahead.
* Tony Pua Kiam Wee, DAP National Publicity Secretary &
MP for Petaling Jaya Utara
http://dapmalaysia.org