Al-blur, I don't buy your spin

Either the police acted with your tacit approval or your judgment sucks.

As long as the ISA is still in our legislation, every one of us should be worried.

So it is now clear that Teresa Kok was detained by the police, according to Section 73, without having to refer to the Home Minister, who in his moment of ‘political correctness’ (?), felt appropriate that he should not interfere in their decision.

Under normal circumstances, I would welcome such independence of action given to the police. But in an obviously unfair instance (to most people except him) he had chosen not to interfere! I think his action or rather inaction showed he is out of touch with a lack of understanding of what is just and fair, and a lack of compassion for another fellow human. What had Teresa done to be treated worse than a common criminal, rapist or even murderer?

Since he did not see the injustice immediately after the arrest by the police, and neither did he use his power to prevent an abuse of the law, his judgment is suspect and he is not fit to be our Home Minister.

I watched last night’s news on TV and I am refering to the following news report:

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 19 — Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said the release of the Seputeh Member of Parliament, Teresa Kok, from detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA) was decided entirely by the police without referring to him or requiring his approval.

He said he was in fact informed of the matter after Kok had been released, and believed that the release was made after police investigation revealed that the detention was no longer necessary.

"I don't ask questions (to the police) because when it comes to police exercising their power, I let them do their work without any hassle.

"And if they feel there is no need to make any recommendations (to detain further) and they are satisfied, they will release in accordance with the powers that they have," he told reporters after presenting contributions to the ministry's staff, here today.

Kok, who is also a Selangor State Executive Councillor, was released at 1.30pm after being detained for eight days under Section 73(1) of the ISA 1960 as she was alleged to have raised racial and religious sentiments.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said in a statement that police were satisfied with the cooperation rendered by Kok during the investigation and there was no longer any reason to continue her detention.

Commenting further, Syed Hamid said that under Section 73, an individual could be detained for up to 60 days for investigation if the police suspected that he or she was a threat to national security.

He said that his role as the minister was only needed to approve detention that exceeded the 60-day period, where police felt that the extended detention was a necessity.