| 1. | We the undersigned, on behalf of our respective three parties, that is the Democratic Action Party (Dap), Kesatuan Insaf Tanahair (Kita), Parti Keadilan Masyarakat (Pekemas), Partai Socialis Rakyat Malaya (PSRM), Partae Kebangsaan Sarawak (Snap) hereby submit our collective stand taken and resolution passed at the meeting of Opposition parties held in Petaling Jaya, Selangor on 26.1.75 with regard to arrests without trial under the Internal Security Act |
| 2. | The part with reference to the resolution reads: "That this meeting of Opposition parties with regard to arbitary arrests and detention under the Internal Security Act which was attended by representative from all opposition parties, i.e. the Democratic Action Party (Dap), Kesatuan Insaf Tanahair (Kita), Partai Keadilan Masyarakat (Pekemas), Partai Socialis Rakyat Malaya (PSRM) and Partai Kebangsaan Sarawak (Snap):
| (a) | Resolves that the principle of arrests without trial under the Internal Security Act and other laws is in conflict with and against the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and is most unfair; |
| (b) | Condemns the arbitary arrest and detention under the Internal Security Act and other laws, especially the arbitary arrests and detention which were carried out recently on University lecturers, student, youth and political party leaders, and urges the Government to release them unconditionally; |
| (c) | Demands that Parliament and other State Legislative Assemblies repeal this Act and the Preservation of Public Security Regulation in Sarawak and Sabah and other laws which provide for detention without trial immediately; and |
| (d) | Urges the Government to release unconditionally all political detainees who have been detained under this Act." |
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| 3. | Our collective [unclear: stand] and the resolution adopted at the meeting is reasonable and fair. Our stand and resolution contains a basic humanitarian point, i.e. that a man who is accused of committing a crime has a right to be considered as innocent until he is proven guilty in an open court of law where he has all opportunities to defend himself. This humanitarian right is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which was adopted and announced by the Conference of the United Nations held on 10.12.48. Malaysia, as a member of the United Nations, must respect and follow this Declaration. |
| 4. | We believe that there are not valid reasons why such cruel laws should still be maintained. Your Government always says that the Internal Security Act is necessary to contain subversive elements of the Malayan Communist Party. This excuse is too general and your Government has used it to include all cases of Opposition against your Government. Allegation against those who were and are still detained, especially student and youth leaders arrested recently as contained in their orders of detention, reveal that the reasons given by the Government are too general and this act has been made use of as a political weapon by your Government to suppress Opposition towards your Party's Government. |
| 5. | Only one example is enough to substantiate this statement of ours. In the order of detention issued by your Government dated 1.2.75 against Annuar Ibrahim, a well-known youth leader who is known nationally and internationally and who has been ordered to be detained for two years on the allegations that since 1969 he had during that period, (a) demanded Tengku Abdul Rahman to resign, (b) urged the Government to quicken the implementation of Bahasa Malaysia as sole-official language of the Nation, (c) condemned the Singapore Government for humiliating three Malaysian citizens, (d) issued or circulated extracts from the book, 'The Malay Dilemma, written by a top UMNO leader, Dr Mahathir, (e) condemned the Universities and University Colleges Act, (f) organised student demonstrations against the visit of the Thai Prime Minister to K.L. because of the suppression of the Muslims in Petani, (g) condemned the Government for not setting up an Islamic University, (h) planned to have a Palestain seminar and (i) organised student demonstration supporting the demands of the farmers of Baling. |
| 6. | The allegations clearly prove that our people in actual fact do not possess the right to voice our opposition to Government policies or action. What is the meaning of democracy if this is allowed? Is it incapable of making mistakes? Democracy and the freedom of the people to refer and criticise and to rectify the mistakes our national political leaders make is necessary so as to ensure justice, history and progress for the people. The usurpation of powers by two or three leaders who cannot be questioned or opposed will lead to a dictatorial Government and which can give rise to calamity in the country. |
| 7. | We view with concern the question of arrests without trial of our people under this Act and other laws. We hope that you will not ignore our appeal and we hope that you will not consider that you have been given the mandate by the people to enforce the law under this Act. Cruelty even though it is protected by law. Cruel laws are laws which are condemned by God and humanity. A lot of our people including well-known political leaders, farmers, workers and students have been arrested and have become victims under this Act, such as in the case of Ahmad Boestaman, Ishak Hj. Mohd., Dr Burhanuddin, Datuk Kampo Radjo, Hasnol Hadi, Tan Kai Hee, Dr M. K. Rajakumar, C.C. Yong, Hamid Tuah, Lim Kit Siang, Zulkifli Ismail, S. Sivasupramaniam, Datuk James Wong, Dr Syed Hussein Ali and Annuar Ibrahim. |
| 8. | We also found that unsatisfactory conditions have been imposed on political detainees in their places of detention, like solitary confinement, inadequate medical facilities, inadequate reading materials, etc. Hunger strike by the detainees in the detention camps and the committing of suicide by two political detainees not too long ago show that conditions in the detention centres are far from satisfactory. We also view with grave concern this matter. Thus, we urge you to set up an independent commission to inquire into the conditions and welfare of all those detained in detention camps. We also urge you to allow an all-party delegation to visit the various places of detention. |
| 9. | We also ask for an assurance from you as the Government leader that you would give serious, fair and urgent attention to our memorandum. |
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