Suhakam to 'intervene' over Sabahan ISA detainees

The Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) has agreed to speak to Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi about the plight of the four Sabahans still being held under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

Commissioner James Nagayam (centre, in photo) said this when receiving a memorandum yesterday from their wives, seeking Suhakam’s intervention in securing the release of the men.

"I will look into the matter," he told Sarwina Azmin, 19, Asmira Amil, 19, Zahorna Abdul Razak, 33, and Suriani Jusof, 41.

However, he could not immediately commit to a date for the meeting with the minister.

The women told James that they have been in limbo since their husbands - all breadwinners of their respective families - were arrested in January last year.

“We want our husbands to be released as soon as possible. It (has been) hard to move (since their arrest). We have to handle everything, including our children’s schooling,” said Sarwina.

Three of the women are unemployed, while Suriani is a teacher in a private school.

Asmira said the families have been making do with donations from relatives, family members and welfare societies.

The four women had been flown from Tawau to visit their spouses on June 14, 15 and 16, but were only allowed to see them twiceover the weekend.

‘Set up a reconciliation commission’

Abolish ISA Movement head Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh, who was present, demanded that a reconciliation commission be set up to thoroughly investigate the detainees' alleged crimes as well as to compensate their families.

“When the wives were flown to Tawau, it was the rakyat who provided food and accommodation for them here (in the peninsula). This should be the government’s duty to protect its people," Syed Ibrahim (in blue shirt).

“It makes me happy (that the rakyat is chipping in) but sad to see it (has to be) this way.”

The ISA was repealed on June 22 last year and replaced with the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act that limits detention without trial.

However, a provision states that current ISA detainees must serve out their detention orders.

The four Sabahans - Darto Bandu, Azmin Pindato, 29, Muadz Hakim, 26, and Bakar Baba, 37 - are expected to be freed next January, and will be the last of the 15 detainees.