©The Sun (Used
by permission)
by Meena L. Ramadas
KUALA LUMPUR (July 29, 2011): The six Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) members detained under the Emergency Ordinance (EO) were released today at 5.30pm from the Jinjang police station here without conditions.
When contacted, PSM secretary–general S. Arutchelvan confirmed the details of release.
"It is because of the people we are out today," Sungai Siput MP and PSM central committee member Dr Michael Jeyakumar, who was one of the six, told a press conference after the release.
The other five detainees are PSM deputy chairman M. Saraswathy, 58, national youth chief R. Sarat Babu, 25, Sungai Siput division secretary AP Letchuman, 49, and central committee members Choo Chon Kai, 33, and M. Sukumaran, 50.
Jeyakumar, who appeared slightly tired but alert, said the party would discuss with its coalition partners to decide on the next course of action, which includes legal proceedings.
"One thing we could do is file a case against wrongful use of the EO (Emergency Ordinance) on us," he said. "But we need to sit down and think about this."
Earlier, about 100 PSM members and supporters gathered at the Kuala Lumpur Chinese Assembly Hall at 7.30pm to welcome the freed PSM members.
"Thank you everyone, because of you I am out," said Jeyakumar, adding that he appreciated calls from Barisan Nasional politicians urging for their release.
When asked about the conditions he was detained under, Jeyakumar said he was not physically tortured. "It was more of mental torture," he said of his solitary confinement with minimal contact with family members.
Saraswathy said she had suffered chest pains while she was detained and was sent to the hospital for treatment. "They sent me to the hospital on July 15 for a check–up and I was taken back to the detention area," she said, adding the pain did not subside.
"Then I was warded on July 17 for three days," she said. However, she lamented that she was handcuffed and was only freed when she needed to use the bathroom and during meal times.
Another detainee Sukumaran said he was ordered to sing during an interrogation by the police. "They apparently knew I was a good singer so I sang a few Tamil songs," he said with a grin.
The six were among 30 people who were initially detained at the Sungai Dua toll plaza in Kepala Batas, Penang on June 25 under Section 122 of the Penal Code for allegedly attempting to wage war against the King, released and then re–arrested on July 2.
Deputy Inspector–General of Police Datuk Seri Khalid Abu Bakar had then said that they were re–arrested under Section 2 (1) of the Emergency Ordinance 1969 and were suspected of being involved with foreign elements and had subversive tendencies.
Under the section a person can be held up to 60 days without trial.