Activist Hishamuddin Rais today rejected the assertion by a lawyer representing Sungai Besar Umno division leader Jamal Md Yunos that the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) was a terrorist group.
Hishamuddin, 67, who was testifying as a witness in Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah's defamation suit against Jamal at the High Court in Kuala Lumpur, admitted he knew Maria's husband, the late Yusuf Lebai Ali, who joined the PLO in 1977.
The witness told the court that he joined the organisation on two occasions - in 1975, where he stayed for several months and left, and then in 1977 until 1978.
Hishamuddin and Yusuf (photo) were students at Universiti Malaya and members of the university's socialist club.
The activist was cross-examined by lawyer Mohd Nasser Yusof over their involvement with the PLO.
Nasser: Do you agree that Yusuf was trained as a commando?
Hishamuddin: Yes.
Nasser: Is Al Fattah part of PLO?
Hishamuddin: Yes.
Nasser: Isn't PLO a terrorist organisation?
Hishamuddin: I disagree.
Nasser: However, PLO was involved in the Munich Olympics attack on Black September and others?
Hishamuddin: I strongly disagree that PLO is a terrorist organisation.
Nasser: This despite the United States labelling it so?
Hishamuddin: Yes.
Meeting with Chin Peng
Hishamuddin also testified that he, along with Yusuf, had met Parti Komunis Malaya secretary-general Chin Peng in Beijing during the 1980s.
“I went there because Chin Peng (photo) wanted to get our views as the younger generation on the peace talks with the Malaysian government (the Hatyai peace accord). We gave our views to him and those who were willing to listen,” said the former student leader.
The activist, who was once part of the Bersih steering committee, denied that he supported communism.
Hishamuddin also admitted that he was detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in 1995, and again in 2001 for participating in the Reformasi movement.
The witness said he supports street demonstrations but denied that the intention was to overthrow the government.
Hishamuddin, who participated in all Bersih rallies except the first one, agreed that Bersih 3 rally was "slightly chaotic" but dismissed that participants were rough against the police.
Questioned by lawyer Latheefa Koya about a photo tendered by Jamal's lawyer showing people stomping on a police car, he said Bersih supporters were trying to prevent any untoward incident and that they were not troublemakers.
“There is a footage where the police car had struck a protester and they (Bersih supporters) were trying to lift the car to save the protester. They also broke the car window to save the police (officers) who may have got injured,” Hishamuddin said.
Maria had filed the suit against Jamal for claiming on two occasions, in September and October 2016, that Bersih was infiltrated by the militant Islamic State.
The hearing continues tomorrow, with Justice Mohd Zaki Abdul Wahab hearing Dr Mahathir Mohamad's application to set aside a subpoena served by Jamal.- Mkini
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