norain

Letter from ISA detainees' solicitors to Inspector General of Police

DAIM & GAMANY
Advocates & Solicitors
Peguambela & Peguamcara
14th April,2001

Ketua Polis Negara
Polis Diraja Malaysia
Ibu Pejabat Polis
Bukit Aman 50560
Kuala Lumpur
Attention : IGP Tan Sri Norian Mai Dear

Sir Re: Press release dated 11.4.2001

1. We act for Mohamad Ezam Bin Mohd Nor, Chua Tian Chang, Nisamuddin Bin Md Rais (known as Hishamuddin Rais), Saari Bin Sungib, Gobalakrishnan a/l Nagapan, Raja Petra Bin Raja Kamarudin and Abdul Ghani Bin Haroon.

2. Our instruction are that

2.1 you did cause a press statement dated 11.4.2001 (the "press statement"),a copy of which is attached for your ease of reference,to be circulated to members of the media at a press conference held on or about the same date;

2.2 the press statement was issued in relation to the detaining of our clients under the security Act; and

2.3 the information contained in the press statement was in fact subsequently published in the local media;

3. Our further instructions are that, in so far as our clients are concerned the allegations in the press statement are wholly false and untrue. The said said allegations further give rise to inter alia the meanings also flow from the press statement in relation to our clients.

4. By reason of the above,you have,in both your official and private capacities,defamed our clients. In this regard, we rely on the publication and/or by you orally during the press conference for which purpose the press statement was circulated.

5. In view of the foregoing,we are instructed to and do hereby demand that;

5.1 within forty-eight (48) hours from the date of this letter:

a.you forward us undertakings in writing to desist from making, publishing or otherwise broadcasting any similar allegations of our clients;

b. you forward to us a draft apology and retraction should be issued in both your official and private capacities;and

c.you nominate a sum as to damages to compensate our clients, such damages to be paid upon terms and conditions as may be imposed by our clients;and

5.2 you cause to be published in a conspicuous manner and location in all local daily periodicals in the principal languages of this country the duly approved and/or amended apology and retraction within forty eight (48) hours of our clients' approval and/or amendments being communicated to you.

6. Take notice that in the event any of the foregoing demands are not complied with, our firm instructions are to take such further steps as we consider necessary to secure our clients interests without further reference to you.

7. Take further notice that in the event we are compelled to commence legal action, our clients' claims will in no way be limited by the foregoing.

Yours faithfully

M/s. Daim& Gamany

.................
A.Balakisnan

Monday April 16

We know why we are in reformasi
Ex-Military Officer

3:45pm, Mon: I am deeply shocked, disappointed and disgusted at the Inspector General of Police's statement in the media that the reformist group had influenced a number of former security forces personnel to join their movement.

As a former military officer, I dare to say that the former security forces personnel are no fools. We know who is right, who is wrong, what is right and what is wrong, and how the Royal Police Force (PDRM) works, especially the Special Branch (secret police). The reformist group need not influence the former security forces personnel as the majority of us strongly believe in our action and cause. PDRM’s brutal action on the rakyat speaks for itself.

The IGP’s predecessors have brought shame, disrespect and disgrace to the entire police force and regrettably he appears to have joined them, too. Why wasn't any disciplinary action taken against the police officers involved in jailed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim's black eye incident? Instead, most of them were promoted and this is how the police force work.

The prime minister has files of wrongdoings by senior police officers and that is they are dancing to his tune, held as they are by their balls, figuratively speaking.

PDRM has gone blind, due to corruption and abuse of powers, and no longer acts professionally. Look at the senior police officers living beyond their means - ask any ex-security personnel and they will vouch for it. It saddens me that PDRM is being made a laughing stock.