Don’t lose sight of what’s important

byTerence Fernandez, sun2surf.

WHEN Teresa Kok was detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA), other than Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, no one from the Prime Minister’s Department spoke out against the use of the law on a people’s representative. Now, that she is out, Deputy Minister Senator T. Murugiah is up in arms over the food she was served while in detention.

Talk about priorities!

Here’s food for thought: One would have preferred if Murugiah had joined the chorus of protests against the use of the ISA instead of dwelling on the menu at Rumah Tumpangan Kamunting and its affiliates and holding rooms. So, let’s hope this is a case of genuine concern and not an attempt at scoring points.

But to his credit, it is heartening that Murugiah is spearheading a fact-finding mission on the treatment of detainees in lock-ups and detention centres. There is hope that the welfare of other detainees would be better looked after as Murugiah proposes a review of the RM4.50 daily meal allocation.

While he is at it, perhaps he would want to ascertain if detainees, especially those complaining of serious health conditions have access to the best medical care that taxpayers’ money can buy, as well as ensuring that there will be no more complaints of sleep deprivation, mental and physical abuse and solitary confinement.

Let’s also not forget the families of those under detention who are the ultimate victims of this law, as the sole breadwinners are taken away – some for at least two years. While even convicted criminals are allowed to work in prison, ISA detainees apart from cooking their own food, have their right to work taken from them.

It is probably asking too much of Murugiah to plead for the doing away of the ISA. But he could propose the removal of police’s powers to arrest people under the Act, leaving this aspect to the discretion of the cabinet via the home minister. Of course, any significant change needs to be done via Parliament, but judging by how some Bills have been fast-tracked, it is a matter of political will to see this through.

Meanwhile, several individuals have criticised Kok for complaining about the food – eggs and gravy – saying that detainees should not expect “seafood” while in detention.

One hopes they don’t have the same attitude where someone’s health is concerned. ISA detainees are not guilty of anything as their right to be heard in court has been denied. As such, the maxim innocent until proven guilty must continue to resonate among those responsible for their incarceration and those in charge of their well-being under detention.

In any case, one hopes this round of bickering between Kok and politicians backed by a vernacular daily does not end in her being picked up again as this too can be deemed as a threat to national security. There’s no telling what can happen if you spread stories that people under detention are served dog food. Who knows, this kind of misinformation may lead the likes of Alpo and Eukanuba to submit their tenders to the Home Ministry!

However, one can bet one’s bottom dollar that any investigation would be targeted at the maker of the allegation – in this case Kok. But she may have an escape clause as there is a precedent which dictates that Kok may not be picked up after all. Just like the azan issue, those who accused her of trying to gag mosque amps are still free while the Kinrara assemblywoman and Seputeh MP was denied her freedom for seven days.

But as Kok said so herself, let us not be side-tracked by food. The bigger issue is that the ISA is a Sword of Damocles hanging over the heads of politicians, activists, journalists and the average Malaysian.

It is a dangerous law to have due to the way in which it has been used.