Mavalavan Mutturamalinggam, alleged to be an agent of a foreign intelligence agency, was detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for 17 months. He was detained on July 28, 2007. He was initially retained for 57 days at the Police Remand Center (PRC). Upon the Home Minister's order, on September 21, 2007 he was sent to Kamunting Detention Camp. Once the Home Minister was comfortable that he had been 'rehabilitated after an intensive program', he was released on December 4, 2008. However, he was immediately placed under the Restricted Residents Act (RRA) order. The restriction order was lifted on September 20, 2009. Now he is a free man.
Is he really free?
He is really an unfamiliar name amongst the many who have been or are being detained at the Kamunting Detention Camp or Kem Tahanan Kamunting, or more commonly known as KEMTA. He was not a political opponent or a unionist or someone the Malaysian government needs to silence his dissent.
So, what is his story?
He was a Systems Executive working with an aviation based GLC in Malaysia. It was a senior position, with direct reports. He and his wife had a comfortable lifestyle. They have a young son, and were expecting their baby girl then (born 2 days after his detention). His parents were living together.
Whilst working in the executive position, he was called to serve the nation on an internal security related program. He, and his team, felt great and honored to perform this national duty. There were times when he felt portentous and haughty, and he showed it. (For security reasons, and also because of restrictions imposed upon his release, he does not want any further details elaborated here).
Life was just great.
One fine day, a group of men showed up at his home and informs his family that he was being picked for investigations. The process that followed from here was alike to most of those detained under the Internal Security Act.
He did not understand why the very people he was working with did not come to assist him but instead put him through all this. He was now being punished and detained without having any opportunity to defend himself. This is barbaric.
He was not charged with any offences, however. The ISA permits detention without any proof or trial in the court of law. Thus, one can be detained on mere suspicion of being a threat to national security.
Since July 28, 2007 life conditions for the entire family took a down turn.
Having lost their breadwinner and initially shunned by their community, the family struggled to cope with reasonable living standards, without any proper welfare assistance from the government.
Upon his release on December 4, 2008, he yet had to struggle.
Will his rights and those of the others be defended? How much longer must they suffer?
Incarcerating the detainees without affording them due process, including financial and life support, is the height of injustice. It is also an affront to our religious sensibility; the very act desecrates all religions observed in our beloved country.
Abolish ISA! Such uncivilized laws that permit detention without trial go against the principles of democracy and should be abolished. Close down KEMTA!
Watch the video for more of his story. For now.
Video by R. Vijay Kumar, Citizen Journalist
EnvironsEagles - Soaring to serve in a changing environment
http://cj.my/environseagles
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