Perak may 'seize' ISA detention camp site

The Perak government may soon take legal steps to rid the state of the Kamunting Detention Camp (Kemta by its Malay acronym), the infamous symbol of the Internal Security Act (ISA).

Mentri Besar Nizar Jamaluddin (right) may be asked to reacquire state land that has been alienated for the camp and force federal authorities in Putrajaya to relocate it elsewhere.

Perak executive councillor A Sivanesan, who loathes the cruelty of the ISA, said he will soon table a proposal at the state executive council to reclaim the land, where the camp has been sited for some 40 years.

The land was alienated for the centre by the previous BN state government before the implementation of the Land Acquisition Act.

The state fell to the opposition Pakatan Rakyat coalition in the March general election. All three component parties - PKR, DAP and PAS - have long condemned the draconian ISA which allows for indefinite detention without trial.

Sivanesan said that since Pakatan “is dead set against the inhumane law”, it was only logical that the state government should want the camp out of an area under its juridiction.

“If Barisan Nasional (BN) wants to keep the camp as its treasure, by all means it can relocate it to its own fiefdom in Johor or Pahang. At least Kemta will be out of our sight,” he said.

“I’m sure all sensible and freedom-loving Malaysians, especially Pakatan leaders and supporters, across the country will welcome his proposal.”

He pointed out that the current government could legally reacquire the land and demolish Kemta, and build houses, hospitals or schools on the site.

The Perak government and Pakatan can thereby prove that they do not want to be part of implementation of the law, he said.

Support From MCA, GERAKAN?

Sivanesan expressed confidence that his proposal will be supported even by BN component parties MCA and Gerakan, as both have been critical of the ISA.

He took a swipe at MIC president S Samy Vellu (right) for suddenly appearing to champion the Hindraf cause, after his frequent jibes against the movement prior to the general election.

“If Samy Vellu and other MIC leaders are sincere and honest about securing the release of the detained Hindraf 5, they should support the move to get Kemta out of Perak,” Sivanesan said.

“Even a murder accused is investigated before being charged and allowed to claim trial and is entitled to legal representation in a court of law. But under the ISA, a person is denied all these basic rights.”

A lawyer by training, Sivanesan had been briefly involved in representing Hindraf supporters who had been charged with manslaughter in the aftermath of the mammoth Nov 25 rally in Kuala Lumpur.

When contacted, Hindraf national coordinator RS Thanenthiran welcomed Sivanesan’s proposal, saying that he hoped the Perak government would succeed.

“The land can be utilised for housing projects for the lower income group. Pakatan can create history by showing strong political will to get rid of Kemta,” he added.

Although the ISA was introduced to curb communist and terrorist activities, critics have said that the BN government has regularly abused it curtail dissent by political rivals, civil movements and more recently, bloggers and a journalist.

Among personalities who have been detained are Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim; DAP leaders Lim Kit Siang, Karpal Singh, the late P Patto and Lim Guan Eng; former Utusan Malaysia editor-in-chief the late A Samad Ismail; trade unionist the late V David; and political critic Chandra Muzaffar.

Five Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders - P Uthayakumar, T Vasanthakumar, M Manoharan, R Kenghadharan and V Ganabatirau - and Malaysia Today webmaster Raja Petra Kamarudin are currently being held in Kamunting, in Taiping.

Kemta is said to hold some 80 detainees now, some having been there for nearly eight years.