PSM hunger strike gathers pace

Party members have decided to show solidarity with Dr Michael D Jeyakumar.

PETALING JAYA: The hunger strike demanding the release of the six Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) members has gained momentum, with 14 members from five PSM Perak branches joining in the fast.
Yesterday, Sungai Siput MP Dr Michael D Jeyakumar, one of the detainees held under the Emergency Ordinance (EO), went on a hunger strike until all six detainees or EO6 are released.
Campaign coordinator, R Karthi, said that the 14 members have gathered at the Sungai Siput branch to commence their hunger strike.

“We started at 10am today. This is just the beginning but we are expecting the number to grow over the weekend,” he told FMT.

“The EO is a draconian law and we are fasting to urge the authorities to release them immediately. If they have committed a crime, then charge them in an open court,” he added.

Party secretary-general S Arutchelvan said that the party welcomes members who want to fast in solidarity with Jeyakumar.

Asked if the hunger strike will spread nationwide, he said: “We are waiting till Sunday. If they are still not released, then we will go on a nationwide hunger strike.”

The 30-day detention period ends on Sunday. The Home Ministry has the discretion to extend it for another 30 days and subsequently for two years.

No visit

The other five detainees are PSM deputy president M Sarasvathy, central committee members Choo Chon Kai and M Sukumaran, Youth chief R Saratbabu and Sungai Siput branch secretary A Letchumanan.
They were part of the 30 PSM members who were arrested on June 26 and remanded on suspicion of waging war against the King. After the expiry of their seven-day remand on July 2, the six were detained without trial under the EO.
The health of the detainees has been a cause for concern as some of them were unwell before they were detained.
Jeyakumar, a party central committee member, has been hospitalised twice during his detention for heart-related problems. Sarasvathy was warded for chest pains recently.
Stepping up the pressure to get the EO6 freed, PSM will submit a memorandum to the United Nations at its office in Kuala Lumpur later today.
Candlelight vigil is also held almost every night. A group of women’s NGOs will also participate in a 12-hour-long vigil together with PSM members tomorrow.
Meanwhile, police have turned down a request by lawyers for the EO6 to visit the detainees today. One of the defence counsel, D Yudistira, said that he was informed of the decision last night, adding that the party has written to the Home Ministry again to arrange for another visit

fr: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/07/29/psm-hunger-strike-gathers-pace/
Tarani Palani

 | July 29, 2011