Saturday, 8 December 2001 |
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Anwar supporter re-arrested by Malaysian police KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 7 (AFP) - An ally of jailed former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim was re-arrested by police Friday under the Internal Security Act (ISA), a rights activist said. S. Arutchelvan, a spokesman for Voice of the Malaysian People (Suaram), told AFP that about 10 policemen arrested Badrul Amin Bahron at his residence in Gombak, a suburb just north of Kuala Lumpur. Badrul, 39, is a member of the opposition National Justice Party (Keadilan), headed by Anwar's wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. Arutchelvan said Badrul would most probably be "sent back to Kamunting detention centre", adding that the arrest was unjustified, especially in the holy month of Ramadan. "We condemn the arrest. It is uncalled for." Badrul was first arrested under the ISA -- which allows indefinite detention without trial -- in April for his alleged involvement in a militant attempt to overthrow the government. He was released from Kamunting detention camp in northern Perak state on November 3 under strict conditions restricting his movements and banning him from holding party posts or participating in public gatherings. Sahri Bahari, Keadilan's secretary-general said Badrul's latest arrest could be due to him leading a short prayer at an ISA seminar last month and for violating his restricted residence orders. Chow Kon Yeow, the opposition Democratic Action Party's human rights chief, also rapped the government for the arrest. "The ISA is again misused to clamp down on genuine political opposition in the country," he said. Badrul was among 10 Keadilan leaders and other activists who were arrested in a dragnet beginning April 10. Four of them have been released unconditionally while the rest are serving two years in detention. Anwar was sentenced to a six-year jail term in April 1999 for corruption and last year was jailed for another nine years for sodomy. Anwar claims he was framed to prevent a political challenge to Mahathir, an allegation the government denies. |
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