NST
By Danutcha Chelliah
16 December, 2007
THE Malaysian Human Rights Commission’s (Suhakam) stand on the use of the Internal Security Act (ISA) has always been consistent. Commission member Datuk N. Siva Subramaniam said any detention without trial was not an accepted norm under the declaration of human rights and emergency ordinance.
Referring to a statement made by Malaysian Hindu Council chairman Datuk R. Nadarajah of Friday, which indicated Suhakam’s presence during a meeting between the Prime Minister and 14 NGOs, Subramaniam said he attended the meeting to listen and voice his opinion on issues affecting national unity.
“Nadarajah probably mentioned Suhakam just to add credibility. I was not there as a Suhakam representative,” he said.
“As far as we (Suhakam) are concerned, if someone has violated the law of the country, they should be tried in court and given a chance to defend their actions. This is justice,” added Subramaniam.