The sister of a detainee who was charged under Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 )(Sosma) for supporting the Liberation Tamil Tigers of Elam (LTTE) movement was questioned by Bukit Aman police officers last night.
Pomugan Mahalingam's sister Ponalagi (above), 32, a factory worker, said she was questioned at the Bukit Tengah police station at 7.30pm.
"They questioned me for 90 minutes over trivial matters, I do not know why they are questioning me when my brother has been already charged in court," Ponulagi told a press conference at the Service Center of PKR's Bukit Tengah assemblyperson Gooi Hsiao Leung.
Pomugan's mother, Rani Thanimalik (below), 60, broke into tears when she said that her only son "did nothing wrong".
"Why is he in detention, and why is my only daughter being questioned now?" She asked, wiping her tears.
Accompanying her were Pomugam's father, Mahalingam Govindasamy, 60, also a former security guard.
"He is our only breadwinner as my daughter is married away in Kulim, he took care of me, my husband and his 80-year-old grandmother, how do we survive now?" She asked between tears.
"He is also not well, he has suffered from episodes of epilepsy, and needs medical attention," she added.
One of the charges against Pomugan, 29, a security guard with a transport company, was Section 130 J(1)(a) Penal Code for soliciting support for terrorism.
If convicted, he faces a life sentence.
He was also charged for having in possession a t-shirt and materials allegedly related to the LTTE movement, which has been defunct since 2009.
Describing the charge as a "grave error of judgement" on the part of the Attorney-General's office to charge Pomugan, Gooi said the detention was totally unjustified.
"No matter how you look at it, we urge the AG urged to reconsider the charges be dropped altogether.
"The charge is too serious. What did he do? Would his entire life be destroyed for life for just for having a t-shirt?" Gooi asked.
Gooi also demanded that the draconian Sosma Act be abolished without delay, or amendments be made to the law to allow bail for detainees.
"Not allowing bail violates the basic fundamental principals in the justice system, where one is innocent until proven guilty.
"Pomugan did not commit murder (where bail is not allowed), so he should be allowed bail unless he is convicted," Gooi (far right) said.
"Pomugan has been in detention for 35 days, and it may take two to three years to resolve the case.
"Every day in prison, Pomugan is denied his right to prove that he is innocent. He poses no danger to anyone, he should give him time to prepare for his case," he added.
Meanwhile, Gooi said Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's proposal to reduce the detention without trial from 28 days to 14 was meaningless.
"There is no place for Sosma in New Malaysia. Since Pakatan Harapan has promised to repeal draconian laws, the government cannot sit idle now and allow Sosma to be used by the authorities," Gooi said.
He also queried why Pomugan's sister is being questioned after he was charged at the Butterworth Court.
Saying that this was an "unnecessary harassment", Gooi said anymore questioning will only add to the family's distress.
Gooi is planning to write to the Deputy Public Prosecutors to meet with Pomugan, who used to work as a security guard in a transport company in Permatang Tinggi.
On Nov 12, the Butterworth Sessions Court has fixed Dec 16 for mention of Pomugan's case, who was detained by police on Oct 12. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.