Malaysian Burma activists handcuffe

[altsean@xxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: Malaysian Burma activists handcuffed

Sunday June 1, 1.45 pm. Kuala Lumpur time

U R G E N T  A L E R T

The nine Malaysian Burma activists arrested yesterday while attempting to
deliver a memorandum to the Asean Ministers Meeting have been transported in
handcuffs to be brought before a magistrate who will determine if they are
to be further detained for "failure to disperse" under Section 27 of the
Police Act.

The magistrate has the discretion of extending their detention to 14 days in
the police lock up.

Human rights activists who maintained a vigil outside the police stations
where the nine were being detained saw them raise their hands to show their
handcuffs while being loaded into a police truck. 

The action of handcuffing peaceful activists who were arrested while obeying
police orders to disperse can only be interpreted as vindictive and
heavy-handed.

Clearly, this is a sign that the Malaysian authorities are determined to
show their goodwill to Burma's military junta (who will become a full member
of Asean in July) and at the same time, attack Malaysian activists who have
become increasingly vocal about social justice issues domestically, and in
the region.

Please, as a matter of urgency, do something NOW.  Send your protest fax to:

1.      The closest Malaysian diplomatic mission

2.      Mr Mohd Arshad M. Hussain 
        Under-Secretary, South-East Asia Region
        Foreign Ministry of Malaysia
        Wisma Putra
        Kuala Lumpur
        Fax: ++ 603 2425125, 2424551 (093 if you're dialing from Thailand)

3.      OCPD ACP Zainal Abidin
        Stadium Police Station
        Fax: ++ 603 202 3237 (093 if you're dialing from Thailand)

Please also email or fax a copy of your protest to <altsean@xxxxxxxxxx> /
fax: ++ 66 2 693 4515 or <wkpeng@xxxxxxxxxxxx> / fax: ++ 603 794 3526.

Updates on the situation will be posted as they occur.