“I hope she can regain her freedom and come out as soon as possible and continue to live an ordinary life instead of being detained in a cage like a dog. They locked her up once she walked into that room which is only 6? x 8?. She is not allowed to read newspaper or any other reading material. She lost all her freedom!

“I feel so sad. Yes they gave her three meals a day, but the food is bad! She had diarrhea this morning and her blood pressure plunged!

“Her dad did not notice it but she was so pale when we met her. It pains me seeing her like that. I never expected that my daughter who spend 2/3 of her time a day servicing the people, fighting for the people’s interest and right, can end up like this.

“This Bahasa Malaysia newspaper purposely defamed her, twisted the facts just to get her into trouble, to victimise her.

“I can only encourage her. I told her we are people who believe in God. Bible told us those who are victimise because they fight for justice are the blessed people. Such people are children of God. I encourage her with these words. I told her not to give up but keep on praying.”

Please help to spread the words!

Selangor executive committee member Teresa Kok was arrested under the Internal Security Act yesterday evening for allegedly causing tension and conflict among races as laid out in the notice issued by the Special Branch police to her next of kin.

The notice stated that Kok had acted in a way which threatened national security, which warranted arrest under Section 73(1) of the ISA.

teresa kok interview 140408 09It added that the Seputeh member of parliament had become a national threat by being involved in “activities which can cause tension and conflict among races and religion”.

The notice also stated that her digital camera, car keys and house keys were also confiscated in the process.

Political insiders said it was possible her arrest was also related to a report in the Utusan Malaysia newspaper, which alleged she was behind a petition to lower the sound volume for the azan at several mosques.
Kok had denied the allegations and threatened to sue the newspaper and former Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Khir Toyo for making the allegation.

Kok becomes the first female member of parliament to be detained under the ISA.

No access to lawyers

internal security act section 73 subsection 1 isa 120908In a related development, Kok’s counsel Sankara Nair has slammed the police for denying access to his client.

In his complaint letter to inspector-general of police Musa Hassan, Sankara said that he had tried to gain access to his client at the Wangsa Maju district police station where she was held late last night.

“The police has denied fundamental rights enshrined in the federal constitution for us to meet our clients immediately after an arrest,” he said.

Sankara also urged Musa to allow immediate access to his client and be furnished with relevant information regarding the arrest.

It is learnt that she was released from the state police headquarters at about 2.30pm, and escorted back to her home by the police.

Previously it was stated that she was taken to federal police headquarters in Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur, following her arrest last night.

Tan, 33, was arrested at 8.30 last night under the Internal Security Act.

Her freedom after a 16-hour ISA detention was expected as Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar had earlier said that Tan may be released as early as today.

Speaking from Johor Baru this morning, Syed Hamid justified Tan’s detention under the ISA with the reason that it was part of the government’s preventive measure “to ensure her safety”.

tan hoon cheng 04 120908The minister claimed police intelligence have indicated that the journalist’s life was under threat after she reported an Umno division leader’s allegedly racist remarks.

“We have no intention of holding a reporter as after all she was just taking notes of the comments made by a certain party that led to a public debate.

“She may be released as soon as today after police have obtained all information needed,” Syed Hamid was quoted as saying by Star Online.

The minister added that Selangor senior state exco Teresa Kok’s arrest was linked to her comment over the mosque and the morning prayers which had allegedly “created public disorder and problems”.

Syed Hamid also stressed the government was “not making arrests just for the sake of arrests.”

“We will not make any more arrests under the ISA as long as there is no more disturbance to public peace and order,” he explained.

No further police action?

He also asked all newspapers to cooperate with the government and not incite negative feelings or sentiments.

However the minister also did not rule out further arrests but said that further police action was “not expected”.

Tan was detained in Bukit Mertajam last night as part of a nationwide ISA dragnet.

Her involvement was allegedly linked to her article which quoted Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Ahmad Ismail who sparked the ‘Chinese squatters’ debacle.

Syed Hamid is also expected to hold a press conference later today at Bukit Aman.