Minister: Kok not a threat to public order

Source TheStar

PUTRAJAYA: Police released Seputeh MP Teresa Kok from the Internal Security Act (ISA) detention as they were satisfied she was not a threat to public order.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said her release from detention was not because police could not build up a case against her but because they were satisfied that she did not threaten national security.

“That was the principle behind her arrest and I believe that is also the reason why police have decided to release Kok,” he told reporters yesterday after presenting Hari Raya goodies to 289 ministry staff.

Kok, 44, who is also Kinrara assemblyman was released at 1pm yesterday after being detained for one week. Last Friday, Kok, Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamarudin and Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng were arrested under the ISA.

Tan was released 18 hours later but Raja Petra remains under detention.

Asked if he was informed by the police over the decision to release Kok, Syed Hamid said he was told about it after it took place.

“They need not consult the Home Minister before releasing the person and in this case, they did not consult me.”

On a statement by the United States that detaining members of opposition parties under the ISA was viewed as infringing human rights and values, Syed Hamid said the Government was protecting the interest of its people.

“There are also many complaints about how the US handles certain issues including discrimination but we leave it to them to sort it out,” he said.

He said while Malaysia maintained good bilateral relations with the US, it did not mean that the country needed to seek their consent or approval.

He also said he had yet to read the replies submitted by Sin Chew Daily, The Sun and Suara Keadilan, to show cause letters issued to them for breaching publication guidelines.