SUARAM is urging all NGOs and individuals to take immediate action on the arrest of Tian Chua and two others on Saturday 21st November at Kampung Baru.( Please refer to prvious postings for more deatils of the arrest) Tian Chua's present detention is viewed as arbitary and a form of political persecution. Furthermore, a dangerous precedent that is unlawful and unconstitutional has been set, where Tian and the others were kept for more than 24 hours without being brought to the Magistrate's Court until Monday 23rd November 1998.

SUARAM urges you to protest and take immediate action by writing letters or faxing to the appropriate authorities. We also encourage other forms of peaceful protest. We suggest that you include the following demands among those others that you may like to make:

• To release all those arrested in the streets immediately, or charge them immediately;
• To ensure that there will be no political crackdown or persecution of supporters of the Reformation movement, opposition parties and NGO activists;
• To demand that the Malaysian government reaffirm its commitment to democratic principles by allowing people to freely and openly voice their opinions, especially those calling for more democracy and reforms;
• To immediately and unconditionally release all ISA detainees or charge them in court;
• To abolish the Internal Security Act;
• To condemn and urge for the immediate halt in excessive use of police force that has resulted only in violence.

Please send your appeals to the following people:

Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohammad
Prime Minister's Department
Jalan Dato Onn
50502 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Fax: 60-3-2984172, 2383784

Tan Sri Rahim Noor,
Inspector-General of Police
Ibu Pejabat Polis Persekutuan,
Bukit Aman,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Fax: 603-2910707

OCPD Zainal Abidin Ali
Dang Wangi Police Station
Jalan Stadium
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Fax: 603-2023237

Please also send your letter of protest to Malaysia's diplomatic representative in your country.

Please send copies of your letter to SUARAM office for our documentation.