Human Rights

Jeyakumar to go on hunger strike

By Kit

July 28, 2011

By Lisa J. Ariffin The Malaysian Insider Jul 28, 2011

KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 — Emergency Ordinance (EO) detainee and Sungai Siput MP Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj will begin a hunger strike today until he and five others detained under the EO are released or charged in court.

“Dr Jeyakumar told me that he would begin a hunger strike on July 28 to get justice. When I met my husband on July 27, he was feeling very frustrated and disappointed with the police and government’s stand on the six PSM activists detained under the EO since July 2,” Dr Jeyakumar’s wife Mohanarani Rasiah said today.

“I advised him against it because of his health but he resolved to do so until the PSM6 are released or charged in court.”

Mohanarani said Dr Jeyakumar had lost faith in the police.

“He said the police refused to budge even though the PSM6 have been fully co-operative and answered all the questions during interrogations.

“Dr Jeyakumar had told the police and Putrajaya to be honest when reviewing the work and activities of PSM. He said criticisms against the government are a democratic right,” she said.

“He demands the minister of home affairs (Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein) play a role in freeing the detainees or bringing them to court. Until that day comes, he will go on a hunger strike,” she added.

The six PSM members have been detained for allegedly promoting communism and “waging a war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong” after they were found with T-shirts bearing the likenesses of former communist leaders.

All six have denied the allegations.