FAC News - Friday, June 21, 2002 8:22 AM

SUHAKAM INQUIRY ON THE ISA: List of grouses of the ISA detainees

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam), which conducted a two-day public inquiry to investigate the treatment the Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees were receiving plus the conditions of their detention in the Kamunting Detention Centre, received various complaints, requests and suggestions from the detainees.

Amongst some of these were:

1. That they be allowed conjugal visits even if for just once every two or three months.

2. That they be allowed to perform their compulsory Friday congregational prayers.

3. That the 45 minutes a week family visitation rights be extended, especially for those who need to drive almost the whole day from faraway States.

4. That the metal screens separating the detainees from their families be removed.

5. That the families be permitted to bring along some food when they visit the detainees.

6. That they be allowed cigarettes.

7. That they be given some form of training or education rather than they while away their time sleeping for two years.

8. That they be given proper and sufficient medical treatment and also be allowed alternative medical treatment of their choice.

9. That they be properly informed and briefed of their rights under the ISA.

10. That proper toilets be built in the orientation block instead of the containers they are currently provided with.

11. That they be told of the crime they have committed to warrant their detention under the ISA.

12. That they be provided with legal assistance as most do not have their own lawyers.

13. That the food be improved both in terms of quality and quantity.

14. That they be allowed to meet Suhakam privately without the presence of third parties such as the Special Branch officers, prison authorities or media.

15. That their families’ welfare be looked into while they are under ISA detention.

16. That their families not be threatened with arrest, sacked from their jobs, or evicted from their houses, just because they are under ISA detention.

17. That the ISA detention be reduced from two years to one year.

18. That they be given proper dental treatment.

19. That they be given more access to information and contact with the outside world.

20. That the media not distort what they testified in the two-day public inquiry.