Monday September 15, 2008 MYT 1:40:55 PM

Muslim NGO: Use of ISA is ‘un-Islamic’ (updated)

PETALING JAYA: A Muslim non-governmental organisation, Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM), has lashed out against the use of the Internal Security Act (ISA) against three individuals, saying it was “un-Islamic.”

In a statement, JIM also said that the arrest of Seputeh MP Teresa Kok was an “injustice as she has already vehemently denied former Selangor Mentri Besar’s (Datuk Seri Dr Khir Toyo) allegations against her.”

Even the mosque in Damansara, which Kok supposedly asked to reduce the volume of its azan call to prayer, has denied the allegations.

It explained that the reason for the softer call to prayer was because it was facing a technical problem with its loudspeakers, JIM deputy president Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said in a statement.

Stressing that JIM was against detention without trial, Syed Ibrahim called for the immediate release of Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamarudin and Kok, who is also Selangor senior state executive councillor.

Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng, who was also arrested under the ISA last Friday, was released a day later.

“We are against detention without trial. The ISA goes against the principles of justice as those arrested are denied the right of being ‘innocent until proven guilty,’ denied the right of defence, rights to a lawyer and can be held forever without being brought to court.

“Accusing without evidence is an action considered haram (illegitimate) under Syariah (Muslim law).

“Arresting a blogger, reporter and a critic of government policies without concrete evidence only creates doubts among the people on the government’s sincerity and motive in bringing change after the general election,” he said, adding that anyone with evidence of Islam being insulted should step forward and give a comprehensive explanation.

Syed Ibrahim also criticised Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar’s reasoning that Tan was arrested for her own safety, calling it “unreasonable.”

“Her arrest makes it seem as if she was responsible for the Ahmad Ismail controversy. This is not right as it was Ahmad Ismail and his followers who purportedly stoked racial sentiments,” he added.