The Malaysian Bar views with grave concern the turn of events which has resulted in Tenaganita now being the subject of a criminal investigation because of their report on the conditions and deaths at the Immigration Detention Centres in Semenyih and other places.
The criminal investigation is the outcome of a police report lodged by Supt. Abdul Malek Jano, commanding officer of the 4th Battalion Field Force against Tenaganita for criminal defamation.
In light of the Government's recent admission of some 50 deaths in Semenyih and the other Immigration Detention Camps and the Prime Minister's promise of an independent inquiry (if necessary) into the said deaths, the current criminal investigation of Tenaganita is totally without justification and smacks of intimidation.
The Bar Council is deeply perturbed that as a result of the police report against Tenaganita, the focus of public attention has now been diverted from the appalling conditions and deaths at the Immigration Detention Centres to the possible prosecution of Tenaganita for criminal defamation.
The expose of the conditions, abuses, maltreatment and deaths in the said Detention Camps was done in the lawful discharge of Tenaganita's public and civic obligations. As such the Bar Council will provide full legal assistance to any officer of Tenaganita in the event he/she is charged with criminal defamation or any other 'offence' consequent upon their report.
The Malaysian Bar also calls upon the Government to immediately conduct an independent open inquiry into Tenaganita's allegations of abuse, maltreatment and deaths in the said detention camps.
Dated this 20th day of September 1995.
Hendon bte Haji Mohamed
President
Malaysian Bar
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Investigating Tenaganita for criminal defamation
20 Sep 1995 12:00 am