The following is a press statement from the Centre for Independent
Journalism (CIJ), a SEAPA partner based in Kuala Lumpur:

The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) joins the Gerakan
Mansuhkan ISA (Movement to Abolish ISA - GMI) in condemning the
continued detention of vocal blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin under
the Internal Security Act (ISA) for two years.

CIJ is deeply concerned that the detention would have triple
effects: sending a chilling message to other bloggers, preventing
future whistleblowers from safely exposing a wrongdoing, and
dampening the fervour of public discussion on critical issues.

Raja Petra was reportedly served a detention order for two years on
the night of  22 September. He was taken to the Kamunting detention
centre in the state of Perak on 23 September to begin his
detention, joining other detainees such as the Hindraf leaders P.
Uthayakumar, Ganapathy Rao and P. Waythamoorthy and 62 others.

CIJ protests the latest arrest, which is another clear abuse of an
archaic law created by the colonialists to curtail militant
communists who were threatening the colonial administration then,
and apparently perpetuated by the present administration to
safeguard its shaky position.

While CIJ applauds the recent release of journalist Tan Hoon Cheng
and DAP assembly representative Teresa Kok, both of whom were
arrested and detained for a brief period under the same draconian
act, neither should have been detained in the first place, and nor
Raja Petra, too, under this draconian law that allows for detention
without trial.

Raja Petra, who gained infamy as the country's top blogger through
his no-hold barred writings that were often directed against the
country's top leadership, was already being investigated for
sedition, another law that is overly broad and widely abused. But
that charge will at least see him in court and grant him the right
to defend himself.

Such drastic action by the government will only fuel speculation
that his claims of wrongdoing in the upper echelons of power were
hitting too close to home.

CIJ urges all members of civil society to join GMI in calling upon
the government to repeal the ISA and release all detainees or
charge them in court.

The Centre for Independent Journalism, Malaysia (CIJ) aspires for a
society that is democratic, just and free, where all people enjoy
free media and the freedom to express, seek, and impart information.

Issued by

Gayathry Venkiteswaran
Executive Director