16 Former Detainees:
Abolish Singapore’s Internal Security Act
Dated this 19th day of September 2011
Figure above is News Report by NST Singapore dated 20th September 2011 |
We welcome Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak’s announcement that his government would repeal the Internal Security Act (ISA) and the Emergency Ordinance. He said the changes are aimed at “having a modern, mature and functioning democracy which will continue to preserve public order, ensure greater civil liberties and maintain racial harmony.” We look forward to the Malaysian Prime Minister fulfilling his promise to his people.
The Ministry of Home Affairs claims that:
“ … A person arrested under the ISA in Singapore may be held in custody for 30 days after which an Order of Detention or Restriction Order must be issued or else the up to person must be released unconditionally.
In Malaysia , the period of custody is up to 60 days…” (ST 17.9.2011).
This comparison is irrelevant because political detainees in Singapore have been imprisoned for periods which far exceed those in Malaysia . Dr Chia Thye Poh was imprisoned for 26 years. Dr Lim Hock Siew was imprisoned for 20 years. Mr Lee Tee Tong was imprisoned for 18 years and Dr Poh Soo Kai and Inche Said Zahari for 17 years.
The Ministry further claims that the Advisory Board is a safeguard against abuse under the ISA. The protection accorded by the Advisory Board is spurious, if not a farce. Several of us have appeared before such a board and can confirm that the board did not examine witnesses and evidence against the detainee. In 1987, appearances before the board lasted not more than a few minutes each. Furthermore, detainees were discouraged from appearing before the board by ISD officers. Many were advised that appearing before the board would jeopardise their chances of early release.
The Sunday Times, 27 May 1987 |
Endorsement name list:
- Dr Lim Hock Siew
- Dr Poh Soo Kai
- Said Zahari
- Lee Tee Tong
- Loh Miaw Gong
- Chng Min Oh @ Chuang Men-Hu
- Tan Sin alias Tan Seng Hin
- Toh Ching Kee
- Koh Kay Yew
- Vincent Cheng Kim Chuan
- Teo Soh Lung
- Yap Hon Ngian
- Tan Tee Seng
- Low Yit Leng
- Wong Souk Yee
- Tang Fong Har
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