The family of Agus Salim - who has been arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA) - has claimed that federal police subjected them to intimidation at Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur, this morning.
An Indonesian national from Medan, Agus has been held under the tough security law for the past two months, according to the Abolish ISA Movement (GMI by its Malay acronym).
Agus, 30, worked as a cook in a restaurant in Larkin, Johor. He was said to have been picked up on March 5 by a team from Bukit Aman police headquarters, for alleged involvement in a bank robbery in Indonesia and having links with Islamic militant group Jemaah Islamiah.
Today, his mother, Kartam, and younger brother Junaidi went to the federal police headquarters where Agus is being held for questioning. They attempted to seek his release, but were allegedly subjected to police pressure.
Speaking to Malaysiakini, Junaidi said the police had “offered” to escort the duo to their Malaysian home in Johor today.
“I told them there was no need and that I would go back by myself...but they (the police) wouldn’t listen. They insisted that I pack my bag and leave with them,” said the mechanic, 27.
He claimed that the police confiscated his mobile phone and passport, and separated him from his mother while he met with his brother for 40 minutes.
Junaidi claimed that Kartam, 56, was held inside the building for almost four hours, and that she too was pressured to return to Johor under police escort
‘Keep quiet’ instruction
GMI secretary E Nalini said Kartam was only released at 2.40pm and the police had told her not to make any statements to the press, if she wanted to see her elder son released within a week.
“She told us that the police kept her for hours because they wanted to pressure her to go back to Johor with her other son today,” said Nalini (right) when contacted.
Nalini claimed that Kartam was advised “not to mingle with GMI people” as it would only aggravate the situation.
“But we do not know whether this (news of the release) is true or not. At the moment, we are trying to calm Kartam down. She is very upset and has been crying a lot. All she is asking for is the release of the son,” said Nalini.
She further said GMI will assist the family in seeking the help of the Indonesian mission in Kuala Lumpur to obtain Agus’ release immediately.
“We are going to Indonesian High Commission tomorrow morning to report this,” added Nalini.
An Indonesian national from Medan, Agus has been held under the tough security law for the past two months, according to the Abolish ISA Movement (GMI by its Malay acronym).Agus, 30, worked as a cook in a restaurant in Larkin, Johor. He was said to have been picked up on March 5 by a team from Bukit Aman police headquarters, for alleged involvement in a bank robbery in Indonesia and having links with Islamic militant group Jemaah Islamiah.
Today, his mother, Kartam, and younger brother Junaidi went to the federal police headquarters where Agus is being held for questioning. They attempted to seek his release, but were allegedly subjected to police pressure.
Speaking to Malaysiakini, Junaidi said the police had “offered” to escort the duo to their Malaysian home in Johor today.
“I told them there was no need and that I would go back by myself...but they (the police) wouldn’t listen. They insisted that I pack my bag and leave with them,” said the mechanic, 27.
He claimed that the police confiscated his mobile phone and passport, and separated him from his mother while he met with his brother for 40 minutes.
Junaidi claimed that Kartam, 56, was held inside the building for almost four hours, and that she too was pressured to return to Johor under police escort
‘Keep quiet’ instruction
GMI secretary E Nalini said Kartam was only released at 2.40pm and the police had told her not to make any statements to the press, if she wanted to see her elder son released within a week.
“She told us that the police kept her for hours because they wanted to pressure her to go back to Johor with her other son today,” said Nalini (right) when contacted.Nalini claimed that Kartam was advised “not to mingle with GMI people” as it would only aggravate the situation.
“But we do not know whether this (news of the release) is true or not. At the moment, we are trying to calm Kartam down. She is very upset and has been crying a lot. All she is asking for is the release of the son,” said Nalini.
She further said GMI will assist the family in seeking the help of the Indonesian mission in Kuala Lumpur to obtain Agus’ release immediately.
“We are going to Indonesian High Commission tomorrow morning to report this,” added Nalini.
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