RM2.5 million: It’s not over yet.
OK… it is a sweet victory for Abdul Malek Hussin, thanks to Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Mohd Hishamudin Mohd Yunus in a landmark decision that not only declared Abdul Malek’s ISA detention unlawful and done in bad faith, but also rewarded him with RM2.5 million in damages. But the party is not over yet. In fact the game had only just stared. I believe the BN Government will not take this lying down. An appeal by the prosecution is almost certain. Let’s just wait and see which judge will be picked for the appeal of the century.
Bear in mind, if the appeal judge uphold the decision by the High Court Judge, not only it will prove that the ISA is indeed a draconian law that needs to be abolished, but also will set a precedence against ISA and the BN Government. There will be an influx of legal cases filed against the BN Government by the past and present ISA detainees. Do you think the BN Government will want to face that? Your guess is as good as mine.
Excerpts from Malaysiakini:
“The arrest and detention were made in bad faith under Article 5 of the Federal Constitution.
“The nature of interrogation was clearly for a political purpose and had nothing to do with genuine concern for national security,” Hishamudin told a packed courtroom.
Abdul Malek, was arrested under the Internal Security Act – which allows for detention without trial – on the night of Sept 25, 1998, after addressing a demonstration earlier that afternoon in Masjid Negara.
This was following the sacking and arrest of Anwar Ibrahim, who was then deputy prime minister.
Abdul Malek was detained under the draconian security law for 57 days before he was released without being charged.
He filed his civil suit in March 1999, naming special branch officer Borhan Daud, the then Inspector General of Police Abdul Rahim Noor and the government as respondents.
[tags]Abdul Malek Hussin, ISA, Internal Security Act, Mohd Hishamudin Mohd Yunus[/tags]
Comments Off