A human rights organisation today criticised de facto Law Minister Dr Rais Yatim for claiming that the United States endorsed Malaysia's Internal Security Act while dismissing expressed views of the US government on Malaysia's human rights record.

Suaram coordinator S Arutchelvan said the government should review the statements made by the US government under President George W Bush which show that the latter had continued to stand by its position that six opposition leaders detained under the ISA should be released or charged in an open court.

"If Rais is terribly keen to follow the US' lead on human rights, firstly he should realise that the US government has called for the release of political prisoners in Malaysia, in particular (former deputy prime minister) Anwar Ibrahim and six reformasi activists," said Arutchelvan in a press statement.

He added that it is inconceivable why the Malaysian government should suddenly "feel the need to lap up praise from the Bush administration" considering that Malaysia had been critical of the US' pronouncements on human rights, their attacks on Afghanistan and their role in the Israel/Palestine conflict.

Yesterday, The Star reported that according to Rais, US Attorney-General John Ashcroft "positively endorsed" the significance of the ISA.

Rais, who is in Washington in conjunction with the meeting between Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Bush, also declared that the perceived endorsement of the use of the ISA was "a watermark [ sic ]".

Misled and confused

Meanwhile, Arutchelvan also reprimanded Ashcroft for being apparently "misled and confused" about the state of human rights in Malaysia.

"[Ashcroft] should also refer to his own copy of the US State Department Report for future [remarks]," added the human rights activist.

The US State Department Reports are country-specific annual assessments on issues of government, politics, economics and human rights. Malaysia's record had for several years included assertions that Anwar's trial had been politically motivated and that the ISA had been used to detain members of the opposition.

In an interview

with malaysiakini in January this year, US Ambassador to Malaysia Marie Huhtala had clarified that the Patriot Act is different from the ISA as it is not used against their own nationals nor to crack down on political opposition.

Huhtala had stated that the US government has not changed its commitment in promoting human rights and democracy.

The US Embassy is expected to respond tomorrow on the statement made by Rais.