Bar's Press Statement: Raja Petra's 2 year detention order is puzzling

Contributed by Ambiga Sreenevasan

Tuesday, 23 September 2008 06:50pm

The Malaysian Bar is deeply disappointed that the Government has seen fit to issue a 2-year detention order under S8 of the ISA against Raja Petra. The issue of the order on the eve of the hearing of his habeas corpus application is troubling, as it undermines the application. Raja Petra is being detained for writing articles, which have long been in the pubic domain. Police reports have been lodged against him by various parties. If offences have been committed, he can be charged in Court for them as he has been in the past. Raja Petra’s continued detention is therefore puzzling. The ISA is being used against an individual where other avenues that afford him a chance to defend himself, exist. It confirms the impression that the ISA is being used for purposes other than national security. It is being used to stifle dissent. Dato’ Ambiga Sreenevasan President Malaysian Bar