Noh: Abuse claims may be aimed at smearing country
KUALA LUMPUR: Claims of abuse by alleged members of an al-Qaeda-linked group jailed in Malaysia might be aimed at smearing the country’s name, Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Noh Omar said.
“Just because we have a similar camp, they want to portray a similar situation to what is taking place in Iraq,” he told reporters at the sidelines of the swearing-in ceremony of MPs at the Parliament lobby here yesterday.
He was commenting on a foreign news report which said that suspected members of Jemaah Islamiah had submitted a complaint to the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) that they were routinely stripped, slapped, kicked and subjected to sexual abuse during police interrogation.
Noh said that when he visited the Kamunting Detention Camp in April, the detainees did not complain of abuse.
He promised to personally investigate the allegations.
On the suggestion from the Royal Commission of Police to review legislation on the remand of suspects, Noh said the law should be studied to prevent abuse.
Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Bakri Omar described the allegations as very serious and vowed to look into the matter.
DAP chairman Lim Kit Siang said: “Malaysia has rightfully condemned those tortured in the Iraqi prisons and we must ensure no such incidents are happening here.”
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar dismissed the abuse claims.
“Why are you linking the situation in Iraq to Malaysia?
“That is very naughty of you,” he told reporters.
On Myanmar’s constitutional convention being boycotted by Aung San Suu Kyi's opposition party, Syed Hamid said Malaysia, as a member of Asean, would like to see reconciliation.
“We want to get more details on why the opposition has refused to take part in the convention. It is important for everyone involved to achieve reconciliation,” he said.
The National League for Democracy said on Friday it would not attend the convention while the junta kept its leader Suu Kyi and her deputy Tin Oo under house arrest and ignored other key demands.
On Lim’s call for Myanmar’s Asean membership to be suspended, Syed Hamid said: “Let us find out more details before making any decision that could have an impact on bringing Myanmar into the mainstream of international relations.”
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