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Malaysia Extends Militantsâ Detentions
Malaysiaâs prime minister issued new orders Friday to keep four Islamic militant suspects in prison for two more years, an official said. The four alleged members of the Kampulan Militan Malaysia, a group allegedly allied with the al-Qaida-linked Southeast Asian extremist network Jemmaah Islamiyah, were imprisoned two years ago under a tough security law that provides for detention without trial. The orders they were being held under were due to expire Friday. Waited to the last minute, then Bamm!, back in the hole. Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi ordered the men detained for two more years because authorities believed "they were still militant in their thinking and pose a threat to national security," a senior government official told The Associated Press, on condition of anonymity. So do we. The four, identified as Muhamad Zulkifli Mohamad Zakaria, Khairuddin Saad, Muhamad Zulkepli Mohamad Isa and Mat Salleh, are being held in a prison camp in northern Perak state. The group is accused of plotting to overthrow the government by force as part of a grand scheme to establish an Islamic state in Southeast Asia. It also is accused of killing a state legislator and a string of bank robberies. Yup, that sounds like JI. No charges have been laid against any members of the group, who through lawyers and relatives have denied links to militancy and demanded that police produce proof or let them go free. Letâs see, if you go to trial, are convicted and sentenced, you have a better chance of having your sentence reduced on appeal and then getting out of jail than you do if you never go to trial. How very.... Malaysian. Posted by: Steve 2003-12-05 |
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