ISA: No amount of money can compensate detainees' denial of rights - Tian Chua

One of the five former detainees of the Internal Security Act (ISA), Batu MP Tian Chua has expressed that no amount of reimbursement can compensate the sufferings they faced when they were in prison.

On Thursday, Tian Chua along with the other former detainees including Hulu Klang state assemblyman Saari Sungib, activist Hishamuddin Rais and former PKR leaders Badrul Amin Baharom and Badaruddin Ismail were offered compensation totalling to RM4.5 million in damages by the Court of Appeal.

The Court of Appeal, however reduced the quantum of damages from RM15,000 to RM10,000 for every day they were illegally detained.

“The compensation is a token of recognition towards the suffering of the detainees. Actually, no amount of money can compensate the denial of rights and freedom of a person who is not guilty.”

“I don’t think that quantity can replace what we have gone through – not just the detainees, but also their family members, friends and other concerned people. They all contributed to the defence of the detainees. It is not a lot of money actually in terms of the value.”

Chua was detained under the ISA for two years at the Kamunting Detention Camp, prior to being interrogated for 53 days. He will receive compensation only for the duration of the interrogation amounting to about RM530,000 – on top of the RM30,000 in exemplary damages and RM25,000 for defamation.

Chua firmly believes that the court’s verdict is a stepping stone to achieving better awareness and respect for protecting human rights in this country.

“This is a very timely and welcoming verdict from the Court of Appeal. It's a moral victory for the human rights movement in Malaysia.”

Chua however said he remembers those would definitely remember those who have been ever-supportive of him and his cause.

"We would definitely have to acknowledge those people who had supported us -- the human rights NGOs, lawyers, friends and supporters. Some forms of their contribution must be accounted for.

"More importantly, we want to support future activists who will continuously fight and defend liberty for the abuse of human rights to not be repeated.

In April 2001, the five were accused engaging in violence and subversive activities and plotting to overthrow the government.

In an interview with Astro Awani, Chua also expressed his hope that no other Malaysians would have to experience what he did.

“We are grateful that the court now recognised injustices and inhumanity of the ISA, and we are also grateful that now the government has abolished the law and we hope that detention without trial will never be reinstated again in Malaysia.”

“This also serves as a reminder that human liberty should not be taken lightly," Chua concluded.