Labour activist Tian released.

June 2003,
Good news!! On wednesday afternoon labour activist Tian Chua (who is also vice-president of Keadilan) was released from prison after serving two years (without trial) under the Malaysian Internal Security Act (ISA).

On June 1 the Home Ministry decided not to extend the two-year detention of Tian and three other detainees -- Keadilan Youth chief Mohammad Ezam Mohamed Nor, Saari Sungib and political activist Hishamuddin Md Rais. Saari, who is a supreme council member of Keadilan, was let out directly from Kamunting on late Sunday evening, while both Chua and Hishamuddin were taken from the Kamunting detention centre to Taiping prison to await their bail hearings held on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Ezam was not released as he is currently serving a sentence at the Kajang prison for leaking classified documents on the alleged corrupt practices of Industry and Trade Minister Rafidah Aziz and former Melaka chief minister Rahim Tamby Chik. The other two reformasi activists still held in Kamunting are Dr Badrulamin Bahron and Lokman Adam. Unless their detention orders are renewed, both are expected to be released when the order expires on June 12.

Thanks to all of you who reacted to our appeals to undertake action regarding Tian and his fellow prisoners. Please keep on protesting against the ISA. In among their first statements to the press, all three released have pledged commitment to the struggle against the Internal Security Act. "ISA is not finished as there are still 100 plus individuals who are still detained under the law," said Tian, dismissing claims that their release may see the pressure also going off the anti-ISA movement, largely built by a coalition of NGOs and interest groups formed over the arrest of the ISA 6 in 2001.

More info at www.suaram.org