Abolish ISA Movement or Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA (GMI) was informed that four Indonesians who were detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for alleged links to international militant Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and Darul Islam (DI) were released on 4 August 2008 and deported to Indonesia on 15th August.
They are: i) Shahrial Sirin (Alleged JI): six -year detainee ii) Abdullah Minyak Silam (Alleged JI): six- year detainee iii) Zainuddin Suharno (Alleged DI): two- year detainee iv) Jaki Hamid (Alleged DI): two- year detainee v) Shahrial Sirin (Alleged JI) and Abdullah Minyak Silam (Alleged JI)
Four were arrested in 2002 for suspected links to terror groups and served six years of detention in Kamunting without trial. The other two were arrested in 2006 for suspected links with terror and robbery.
GMI welcomes the release of the four as they have not been proven guilty by any open court in Malaysia . We believe that the release of the four is the result of the persistent and continuous campaigns to demand for the abolition of the ISA.
The recently launched "Free 6-years ISA detainees" campaign (Kempen Bebaskan Tahanan 6-tahun ISA) also is one of the main factors that catalyzed the process of their release. Even though no official statement has been issued by the Government before the issuance of this statement, GMI made a call to one of the family members and was informed that the four of them have been released and deported back to Indonesia .
With the deportation of the four, their families now face a serious problem here in Malaysia . The detainees have waited for such a long time to reunite with their family, but the government's action of deporting them back to Indonesia is simply inhumane and unforgivable.
The after effect is most probably felt by Shahrial and his family who lost their eldest daughter, Aina Mardhiah on 3rd July 2008.
GMI strongly urges the authorities to lift the deportation Order that is imposed on them, who have already suffered from detention without trial for many years. Beside news of the release, GMI is strongly condemns the new arrest made by the government under the ISA.
GMI was informed that six new detainees were arrested in the month of July 2008. The details of the detainees are not available at the moment but will be made available as and when more information is acquired.
GMI managed to get their names from the lawyers who visited Kamunting Camp recently. The detainees are: i) Shadul Islam (ATP 2698/2008) ii) Abdul Sathar Mohammad Sarjoon (ATP 2699/2008) iii) Faycal Mamdouh (ATP 2700/2008) iv) Mahamad Nakhrakhel (ATP 2701/2008) v) Muhammad Shuaib Hazrat Bilal (ATP 2702/2008) vi) Muhammad Zahid Haji Zahir Shah (ATP 2703/2008)
GMI reiterates that punishing or detaining people without giving them any opportunity to defend themselves is barbaric. Uncivilized laws that permit detention without trial are goes against the principles of democracy and should be abolished. All ISA detainees should be released or be charged in the courts.
Even if there is only one ISA detainee left, the struggle will still continue.
