KUALA LUMPUR (May 14): Internal Security Detainees held at the Kamunting Detention Centre have been on a hunger strike since the last four days, according to human rights group Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram).
In a statement Monday, Suaram said it had been informed of the hunger strike by the family members of the detainees.
“According to the family, the detainees demanded for their immediate and unconditional release or else they will continue with the hunger strike until the government release them,” it said.
It said that the detainees do not understand why they were still detained in Kamunting while the ISA has already been repealed.
“If the government has no evidences against the detainees, they should release them. To this date, none of them were charged or tried in court since their detention.
“The government has also failed to provide any evidence to substantiate its accusations against these detainees,” Suaram.
The organisation urged the Home Minister and Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) to make an immediate visit to Kamunting to ascertain the condition of the detainees.
“Both parties should make a public statement based on their findings,” it said.
Suaram also urged the Home Ministry to charge the detainees in an open court to resolve the hunger strike crisis and release them immediately.