Media Statement by Lim Guan Eng in Petaling Jaya on Sunday, 14^th September 2008: 

Chong Eng appointed as DAP Support, Sympathy & Solidarity(SSS) for free Teresa, abolish ISA National Committee to free all ISA detainees as well as Malaysia from draconian laws such as the ISA   

At the DAP Central Executive Council emergency committee meeting last night, DAP National Wanita chief and MP for Bukit Mertajam Chong Eng has been appointed as DAP SSS National Committee Chair to "Free Teresa, Abolish ISA" to free all ISA detainees as well as Malaysia from draconian laws such as the ISA.

DAP welcomes the people’s victory in forcing the BN government to capitulate and immediately release Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng. Tan had made history by becoming the shortest ISA detainee in history of less than 24 hours. We hope to make ISA history and release all ISA detainees by applying on sustained unbearable public pressure to release DAP National Organising Secretary, MP for Seputih, ADUN For Kinrara and Selangor State EXCO Teresa Kok, blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin, Hindraf 5 and all other detainees.

Only by making ISA history can we ensure that the ridiculous grounds, of being detained because of posing a threat to national security that is not backed up by facts or evidence but only mere opinion and sentiment, can never be misused or abused again. We must make ISA history to ensure that innocent journalists such as Tan can not be detained for their own protection and whilst being so “protected” are treated as a detainee and put in a lock-up.

Whilst the people’s success in forcing the BN government to capitulate on Tan, we must not stop but focus harder on securing the release of other detainees. Our success must not let us forget that there are still other ISA detainees detained and for that reason we must apply sustained unbearable pressure on the government.

The DAP SSS Committee on Free Teresa, Abolish ISA will focus on civil disobedience campaigns that are peaceful and non-violent such as candlelight vigils, forums and prayer meetings. The DAP CEC will also instruct all DAP functions to be immediately turned into a “Free Teresa, Abolish ISA” campaign.

The CEC also approved an emergency resolution:-

• THE CEC RESOLVES  to sternly condemn the detention without trial under the Internal Security Act (ISA) of DAP Member of Parliament and Selangor State Exco member, Saudari Teresa Kok Suh Sim, Raja Petra Kamaruddin and others as arbitrary, high-handed and a mockery of democracy. By labeling Teresa Kok and others as threats to national security without any shred of evidence is a travesty of justice and a gross violation of human rights.
• THE CEC STRESSES that neither Teresa Kok nor any DAP leader had ever stoked religious sentiment or played racial issues. The denial by the Masjid Kota Damansara and Masjib Kinrara that Teresa Kok was involved in azan controversy asking for a reduction on the speaker volume absolves her from any blame. In fact, both mosques deny that there was any azan controversy.
• THE CEC RESOLVES that the Barisan Nasional government should not use draconian powers under the ISA to cling on to power and demands the immediate and unconditional release of Teresa, Raja Petra Kamaruddin, Hindraf 5 and other ISA detainees.
• THE CEC FURTHER RESOLVES to demand the immediate repeal of the ISA to prevent abuses that oppress the fundamental liberties of the people.
 

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* Lim Guan Eng, Penang Chief Minister Penang & DAP Secretary-General