Suaram accuses PM of 'double standards' 
Malaysiakini
Sep 16, 2006

A Malaysian human rights group has accused Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi of practising "double standards" after he called for the closure of the US military jail at Guantanamo Bay while detaining scores of prisoners without trial at home.
The group urged Malaysia to scrap its most notorious legislation, the draconian Internal Security Act (ISA), under which more than 100 people including suspected militants are being held.

Malaysia's detention centre in Kamunting, in the northern Perak state, "is no better" than Guantanamo Bay's prison, the Voice of the Malaysian People (Suaram) said in a statement.

"Many are being detained there arbitrarily and without trial under the ISA for many years. Besides pointing his finger to the US, the Prime Minister should send all ISA detainees to court for a fair trial," it said.

Hold fair trial

Malaysia last week lashed out at the US for detaining two Malaysian Al-Qaeda suspects. It said Washington was breaking international laws in its anti-terrorism efforts.

Abdullah, who is also the internal security minister and in charge of the police, had urged the US to hold a fair trial for the two Malaysians.

The rights group also pressed the government to close the Kamunting centre and free all the detainees.

"Failing to do so will not only totally devalue his advice to the US but (he) will be marked as a leader who practiced double standards," the group said.