Six Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees today ended their hunger strike after meeting a team from the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam).

NONE According to Suhakam commissioner James Nayagam ( left ), four of them had been on strike for a week, while another two started the strike on May 16.

Another six detainees, who began the strike on May 12, held on for five days before they ended their strike.

“The detainees had began their strike as they believed they should be freed once the ISA has been repealed.

"But we have today been briefed that Section 32 of the new Act states that they have to serve the remainder of the detention period in accordance with their detention orders.

“The detainees then choose to break their fast with us over lunch,” he said.

Section 32 of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Bill 2012, which is yet to be gazetted, states that any order issued under the ISA is not affected by the ISA repeal, unless earlier revoked by the home minister.

According to James, the Suhakam team of three and the detainees were briefed of this provision by a Home Ministry official who accompanied Suhakam during the visit to the detention camp.

The team was also accompanied by representatives of the Prison Department and the police.

Of the 45 detainees currently held at the detention camp in Kamunting, Perak, 12 will be released this year, another 22 next year while 11 will be released in 2014.

    

The last detainee will be released on Jan 5, 2014.

Suhakam was told that the detainees will not be charged for the offences they allegedly have committed, after they are released.

Detainees in good health

James said of those who participated in the strike, one is Malaysian, another from Indonesia, one person from Iraq while the others are Sri Lankan nationals.

“We will now present a report to Suhakam and try to get an appointment with the home minister and respective embassies. We will return to the camp in two weeks with updates,” he said.

He added the 45 detainees are held for alleged human trafficking, involvement in the Jemaah Islamiah, Darul Islam and Jemaah Santri Melayu and falsifying documents.

Asked on the health of the detainees who participated in the hunger strike, James said they were in good health and had received daily medical attention.

“They were checked by doctors everyday and the warden would check on them three times a day.

"There was also a representatve from the Prison Department main office who stayed with them for the week,” he said.

He added that the Suhakam team had spent about an hour with all 45 detainees who said that the conditions in the camp was fine.

“They said the camp was fine but complained about the detention,” he said.