On November 8, thugs from the ruling National Front parties in Malaysia physically broke up the Asia Pacific Conference on East Timor II (APCET II). Police later arrived and, instead of arresting the thugs, arrested all the conference participants. Foreign participants were deported. More than 60 Malaysian participants were held in detention from 24 hours to several days. One of the participants was Professor Dr SYED HUSIN ALI. Professor Husin Ali was a distinguished sociologist and political scientist at the University of Malaya. He is also president of the Malaysian Peoples Party (PRM), a leading grassroots activist party. Dr Sanusi Osman, PRM secretary general, was an APCET. II convener and was also detained. Here we print, slightly abridged, Dr Husin Ali's account of the Malaysian detainees' experiences.
On arrival at the police station, we had to remain in the police truck for nearly an hour under the sun. It was hot and uncomfortable. I could see Sabariah, my wife, with lawyers and friends outside the police compound. Then we were trooped inside and made to wait in an enclosure in the middle of the lock-up area. The prisoners in the cells had no shirt on their backs and almost all of them were in their underwear.
We were called one by one to surrender our personal belongings. They were recorded. The process was slow and inefficient. We were allowed to wear our own shirt and trousers. I was put into Cell 2 along with six other friends, Jomo, Fan, Syed Shahir, Sumit, Mark and Christian. The cell had already been occupied by four others — who faced charges as a rapist, a drug addict and an illegal migrant, together with a minibus driver who could not pay his fine.
Food was brought in late. It was rice with a small fried fish and three pieces of cucumber. There was gravy in a separate plastic bag to be shared by everyone. The menu was the same for every meal during the whole period of my stay in the lock-up. For breakfast we were given a small loaf of bread and plain tea in a small plastic bag. On the second day we decided to go on a hunger strike to protest our detention and the poor food.
There was very little space. The cell measured about 8 x 10 feet. An area of about 2 x 4 feet was taken up for latrine and space to wash. So the sleeping area was much smaller. Eight of us were supposed to be able to cram up like sardines on the raised platform which served as a "bed", which was meant for only four people. Three others had to sleep on the floor, between the "bed" and the steel bars. On the first night I dozed off very late, surprisingly quite soundly, and woke up very early.
For me and all others too, the second day was very uncomfortable. I have been well trained to clear my bowels every morning, and I could not possibly do it in the open, with so many people around. Worse still, I could not bathe because the tap in the cells had run dry. In fact there was no water from the tap during all three days I was interned. Water was supplied for all through one plastic hose, and this was meant for drinking, bathing as well as washing.
A temporary court was instituted at the police station the next day that could consider an extension of our remand. My remand extension was for two days while my son Ali's was for four days. We were very happy to hear later that all the 20 women detainees had been released in the evening, together with seven men. At night Jomo and Sanusi were also released. Jomo, who had to finish marking exams, insisted that the police bring them to his cell. Fortunately for him, the police could not possibly do this, and that was why he was released earlier than expected. Sanusi was taken out of his cell to get medical treatment, but he never returned. Instead he was released. This made us all optimistic.
What made us more happy was to see or to know that many of our dear ones and friends were all the time, in rain or shine, outside the police station. At the same time a number of lawyers were trying to secure our release. Meanwhile Ali and I received towels, sarongs and prayer mats from Sabariah. We sang songs and shouted slogans for those outside to hear. They responded in kind, which excited everybody. Because there was not enough water we shouted: "Water! water!" Not long afterwards bottles of mineral water were brought in, thanks to them.
We also shouted for early release: "Freedom, Freedom" and sang songs. The group outside, which grew at night, responded and we became more spirited. Those in cells 8,9,10 scaled the wall and communicated with our friends outside through the barred windows. This apparently annoyed ACP Zainal who scolded the policemen on duty and asked them to report all those making the noise. He also threatened to charge the detainees, particularly those in cell 4, with breaking lock-up rules.
On the third day the police promised to start taking statements at 9.00am. But until 10.00am none of us were called in. The police had said that nobody would be released until statements were taken. Because of the delay we began shouting: "Freedom! Freedom!" again. Quite close to 11.00am the first detainee was called. About half an hour later I was also called out. My investigation officer introduced himself as Inspector Aziz. He complained about having to work on a holiday. My meeting with him was short and simple because, like the others, I stated that I would answer all questions only in court.
Many of us expected to be released that day. But the prospect became gloomy when the process of taking statements was delayed. We were getting restless and became noisier with our singing and slogan shouting. Meanwhile more water and some tasty bread was supplied from outside. About 6.30pm, after bail bonds of RM2000 each were signed, Fan, Razak, Sumit, Mark, Collin, and myself were freed. We were greeted by a big crowd of well-wishers.
I stayed with the gathering outside the police station for a couple of hours and then went home to bathe. Sabariah and I went again to join the candle light vigil and stayed until 2.30am. About a dozen students and a few older people slept there.
We were back at 8.00am bringing rice, bread and drinks for those who slept there overnight. In the morning, family members were allowed to meet those who were still detained. We met Ali, who was in good spirit. The whole day relatives and friends were still there. There were also some journalists milling around, as some more releases were expected.
In the evening there was some tension. The police were unhappy with the growing crowd, because some were shouting and singing. They threatened through the lawyers to arrest us and also to delay further releases. This caused tension among many, which led to some rough exchanges between a few relatives and friends. Discussions were held and soon everything was resolved. At about 8.00pm, Ali, Faizal, Shahir, Christian, Senan Marshall and Redzaum were released. Half an hour later Rajan and Christian followed.
The next morning, Wednesday 13th, a group of 10 last detainees were taken to the remand court, where the magistrate extended their period of remand for another three days. The police had asked for 10 days. Immediately our lawyers went to appeal to the High Court for revision. A hearing was fixed for the next day. In the evening Steven, Yap and a student who were not taken to the remand court were released.
On Thursday 14th, the High Court sat with Justice Vorah presiding. At about 4.30pm, Judge Vorah made the decision that the extension of remand was illegal and ordered immediate release of these 10 detainees. Slightly over one hour later they were all released without bail from the police station We were all overjoyed.