{"id":67863,"date":"2020-03-15T18:36:56","date_gmt":"2020-03-15T23:36:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=67863"},"modified":"2020-03-15T18:58:34","modified_gmt":"2020-03-15T23:58:34","slug":"how-and-why-twelve-ltte-suspects-were-arrested-and-released-in-malaysia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=67863","title":{"rendered":"How and Why Twelve LTTE Suspects Were Arrested and Released in Malaysia"},"content":{"rendered":"

by D.B.S.Jeyaraj<\/strong><\/p>\n

In October last year, twelve Malaysian Nationals of Tamil origin were arrested by the Malaysian Police over suspected links to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and alleged involvement in terrorist activity. The head of Malaysian Police Special Branch Counter-Terrorism division Deputy Commissioner Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay went to town with claims of a huge terrorist conspiracy and network being uncovered. He also said investigations were continuing and that more details of terrorist financing and a plot to attack the Sri Lankan High Commission in Kuala Lumpur would be available soon.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Attorney \u2013 General Tan Sri Tommy Thomas<\/p><\/div>\n

All twelve were arrested and detained under the Malaysian Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012, known as SOSMA. However they were charged in courts for several offences relating to terrorism under the Malaysian Penal Code.Yet five months later in February this year when the trial date grew close, the Malaysian Attorney \u2013 General Tan Sri Tommy Thomas announced that he was dropping all charges against the dozen. <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Subsequently all were discharged by courts in what amounted to an acquittal.What began with an exultant bang had ended in a pathetic whimper.
\n
\nWhy then did this Malaysian anti -terrorist drama about an alleged LTTE terrorist network and conspiracy capturing world-wide media attention fizzle out so soon in five months? Why did the Malaysian law-enforcement authorities who went cock \u2013 a -hoop initially, change their stance and subsequently backtrack? Probing these matters journalistically in pursuit of answers provided an interesting insight into what seems to have happened in Malaysia. An interesting aspect in this affair is the connection with the September 4, 2016 attack on the then Lankan High Commissioner in Malaysia Ibrahim Sahib Ansar in the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Some persons in the \u201cgroup of twelve\u201d arrested and released by Malaysian officials were involved in the attack on the envoy then. This week\u2019s column therefore will focus on these Malaysian matters in this article.<\/p>\n

Malaysia earlier known as the federated states of Malaya has been ruled from 1957 by the Parti Perikatan (Alliance Party) coalition and since 1973 by its its successor, the Barisan Nasional (National Front) coalition. Together with its predecessor Parti Perikatan, , the Barisan Nasional (BN) government served for 61 years and was one of the world’s longest serving governments. It lost power to the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition in the 14th general election held on 9 May 2018. Mahathir Mohamad who had retired from politics earlier, returned to power and made history as a 92 year old prime minister.<\/p>\n

Pakatan Harappan Coalition Govt<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition Govt comprises the Democratic Action Party (DAP), People’s Justice Party (PKR), National Trust Party (Amanah) and Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Bersatu) with Sabah Heritage Party (Warisan) and the United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (UPKO). The opposition consists of the National Front (BN), Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), Sarawak Parties Alliance (GPS), Sabah United Alliance (GBS), Sarawak United Party (PSB), and a few other smaller parties.<\/p>\n

The Economist Intelligence Unit rated Malaysia a “flawed democracy” in 2016.[3] However, Malaysia was a runner up to the Economist 2018 “Country of the Year” in 2018 due to the peaceful transfer of power following the 14th general elections. There was much hope and progress after the regime change noticeably in the area of media freedom. There were also signs of a shift from divisive racist-religious political tendencies.<\/p>\n

One such sign was the appointment of eminent lawyer Tommy Thomas as the Attorney -General in 2018. Tommy Thomas born in Kuala Lumpur in 1952,read law at the University of Manchester and graduated in 1973.He became a barrister (Middle Temple) in 1974. He also studied International Relations at the London School of Economics, securing an M.Sc. in 1975. Thomas was called to the Malaysian Bar in 1976.He practiced as a lawyer and became a partner in a law firm in 1982.<\/p>\n

In 2000 Thomas started his own firm. Tommy Thomas regarded as an able constitutional lawyer with 42 years of practice was welcomed widely as the new Attorney-General. The Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) opposed a non -Malay, non -Islamic lawyer being the A-G. The PAS however couched its protest differently saying the objection was to a lawyer from the \u201cunofficial bar\u201d sans experience at the \u201cofficial bar\u201d being appointed as A-G. Thomas is reportedly of Malayalee ethnicity.<\/p>\n

Even though the country began moving away from the past towards becoming a \u201cnew Malaysia \u201d after the 2018 elections, there was stiff opposition at multiple levels by entrenched elements of the old order. Overt and covert resistance to Tommy Thomas as Attorney \u2013 General continued. It was against this backdrop that the sudden arrests of twelve Malaysian nationals with suspected LTTE kinks occurred in October last year. Interestingly enough Attorney -General Tommy Thomas was away from Malaysia on a three-week vacation when the Special Branch Counter Terrorism Division (E-8) chief Deputy Commissioner Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay struck. The counter -terrorism top cop who prefers to be called Ayob Khan is of Tamil Nadu heritage. His family name Mohideen Pichai is modified nowadays as Mydin Pitchay.<\/p>\n

Deputy Commissioner Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay<\/strong><\/p>\n

Special Branch Counter Terrorism Division officers of the Royal Malaysia Police led by Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay swooped down on suspects with alleged LTTE links and arrested a dozen persons. There were two operations on October 10th and 12th last year. Seven persons were arrested on Oct 10 and five on Oct 12. Deputy Commissioner Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay held two media conferences at \u201cBukit Aman\u201d the Royal Malaysia Police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 11th and October 13th respectively. The anti-terrorist top cop was in an ebullient mood on both days. It was as if he had unearthed a major conspiracy and nipped it in the bud. Media reports of that time indicated this vividly. Ayob Khan said arrests of the twelve were for their alleged involvement in promoting, supporting and sourcing funds meant for the now-defunct terror group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).<\/p>\n

Addressing the media on the first day Ayob Khan disclosed that two Malaysian state legislators were among the seven persons arrested on Oct 10. They belonged to the Democratic Action Party(DAP). The two DAP lawmakers were G. Saminathan, a Melaka state executive councillor, and Negri Sembilan assemblyman P. Gunasekaren. The DAP has a pre-dominantly Chinese membership. In recent times it has begun attracting a lot of Indo-Malaysians also. Speaking about the arrests of Swaminathan and Gunasekaren, Ayob Khan said the two legislators were arrested for participating in an LTTE \u201cHeroes Day\u201d celebration in Melaka last year.\u201cThey attended the celebration on November 28 last year and delivered speeches that contained elements that showed support towards LTTE.Both of them were also found to have leaflets and had distributed material at the event last year that were related to LTTE,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Deputy Commissioner Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay<\/p><\/div>\n

The Special Branch Counter-terrorism Division (E8) principal assistant director, Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay also elaborated about the other five persons nabbed on Oct 10th. Ayob said the other five suspects were arrested at locations within the capital Kuala Lumpur, Rawang and Sungai Buloh in Selangor, Sungai Siput in Perak, and Kulim Kedah.Among those nabbed by counterterrorism personnel was a 28-year-old man who organised the annual \u201cHeroes Day\u201d celebration in Kuala Lumpur and works as a secondhand items seller in Rawang.\u201cThis suspect was also convicted for an offence where he was found to have injured a Sri Lankan High Commissioner at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on September 4, and was previously fined RM10,000,\u201d said Ayob.<\/p>\n

Speaking further Ayob Khan said investigations showed the fourth suspect, a 38-year-old taxi driver arrested in Sungai Siput had also been convicted and fined RM10,000 along with a trader from Rawang for his involvement in causing hurt to the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in 2016.\u201cThe suspect had also attended a covert meeting that was held in Sungai Perak aimed at recruiting and spreading LTTE propaganda in Malaysia,\u201d he said, adding how materials related to the terror group was also found in the cabbie\u2019s possession.<\/p>\n

Ayob Khan also revealed that another suspect, a 38-year-old insurance agent, was arrested in the capital where investigations showed he was planning to stage an attack on the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Kuala Lumpur. He also allegedly owned materials propagating LTTE ideologyThe two remaining suspects, Ayob said, were a 28-year-old technician from Kulim and a 58-year-old eatery owner nabbed in Sungai Buloh.The technician was arrested for allegedly supporting the LTTE and owning materials related to the terrorist group, while the eatery owner was said to have supported and spread the group\u2019s ideology through social media.<\/p>\n

Deputy Commissioner Ayob Khan held a second media meet on Sunday Oct 13 to announce the arrest of five more suspected LTTE fellow travellers the previous day .He said they were taken into custody in central Melaka state and northern Penang state between 10am and 5pm on Saturday (Oct 12).The five included a 53-year-old teacher, a Melaka city municipal councillor and a factory worker and security supervisor in Bukit Mertajam, Penang.”Those detained were suspected of promoting and supporting LTTE while securing funds for the terror group.”The ones detained in Melaka were suspected of organising an LTTE Warriors’ Day celebration last year,” he said.<\/p>\n

Security Offences Special Measures Act (SOSMA)<\/p>\n

All twelve were detained under the draconian Security Offences Special Measures Act (SOSMA) introduced in 2012. The Mahathir Mohammed headed coalition had promised in the 2018 election campaign to repeal the SOSMA that was allegedly responsible in facilitating torture.When asked why the arrested persons were being detained under SOSMA, the Counter -terrorist police chief replied “”They were detained under Sosma to enable us to investigate further and seize crucial items pertaining to the investigation. If we merely recorded their statements, I believe they will give ‘superficial’ statements or the bare minimum\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

A stridently confident Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchai also waxed eloquent in the two media conferences about about what he proposed to do in the case. He also issued warnings in the form of advice. Also he emphasized that action against the LTTE should not be confused with the plight of Tamils in Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n

Ayob Khan said further that detailed investigations had begun in November 2018 following the \u2018Heroes\u2019 Day\u2019 celebrations. He also did not rule out the possibility of more arrests being made.\u201cTo the police, it does not matter who the individual is. Anyone found to be involved in terrorism activities, regardless of their political party, religion, race, if there is evidence that they are involved in terrorism activities, we will arrest them,\u201d he said.\u201cThe police are not ruling out the possibility of more individuals being arrested to assist in the investigations if there is enough evidence\u201d<\/p>\n

Commenting on the purpose of activating the LTTE in the country, Ayob Khan said: \u201cFrom what we can see, the pictures shown are LTTE images, this is not a matter of the Tamil rights struggle in Sri Lanka and so on, it is a struggle for promoting the terrorist group.\u201dHe reiterated that according to the laws of the country, the LTTE has been listed as a terrorist group since 2014, adding that it was also listed as a terrorist organisation in the United States, India and Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n

In this regard, Ayob Khan advised all parties to stop making statements that could affect the investigation process and public perception.However, he pointed that there were no restrictions on individuals or parties who wanted to voice their personal views, but it would be a mistake to support, promote or raise funds for the LTTE terrorist group.Speaking further Ayob Khan said “Those involved in supporting, promoting or securing funds for terror groups will be arrested regardless of their political affiliation or race\u2026\u2026.”We are going to follow the money trail and see where funds were transferred to and from. We believe large sums were transferred among those detained but we are not ruling out the involvement of others.”<\/p>\n

Storm of Protesr Over \u201cTiger Twelve\u201d Arrests.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Notwithstanding the enthusiasm and confidence of Deputy Commissioner Ayob Khan Myddin Pitchai , the sudden arrest of the \u201ctiger twelve\u201d and their detention under the dreaded SOSMA anti-terrorist regulations , resulted in a storm of protest in different ways. Apart from family members of the arrested persons, several others including political party members, human rights activists, lawyers, media personnel and community organization representatives began protesting and agitating in different ways. There was much resentment and concern over the arrests.<\/p>\n

As mentioned earlier all twelve persons had been arrested under the SOSMA and were being detained in the Sungai Buloh prison. The names, ages and occupations of the so -called \u201ctiger twelve\u201d were as follows \u2013<\/p>\n

1. P. Gunasekeren (61) – Seremban Jaya assembly Legislator (DAP)
\n2. B. Subramaniam (58) \u2013 Businessman
\n3. Sundram Renggan(53)-Teacher
\n4. V. Suresh Kumar (44)- City Councillor(PKR)
\n5. S. Theeran (39) \u2013 Dispatch Rider\\
\n6. S. Chandru (38) – Chief Executive Officer(Melaka Green Technology Corporation)
\n7. V. Balamurugan(38) -Taxi Driver
\n8. G. Saminathan (35) \u2013 Gadek Assembly Legislator(DAP)
\n9. M.Poomugan (30) -Security Guard
\n10. A.Kalaimughilan(29) \u2013 Scrap Metal Purchaser.
\n11. S. Aravinthan (28) Technician
\n12. S.Thangaraj(27) \u2013 Storekeeper.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

It could be seen therefore that three of the arrested persons were politicians – two state legislators and a municipal councilors – belonging to the Democratic Action Party(DAP) and Peoples Justice Party(PKR) which were constituent members of the ruling coalition Govt.One of the arrested legislators was a deputy chairman of the DAP. The DAP is basically a party representing the Chinese community but in recent times large numbers of Indian origin Malaysians were also flocking to the party. The Indo-Malay community with 2.1 million people comprises 7% of the population. Of these, the 2017 census says 1 million 796,000 are Tamils while 170.000 are Malayalees. The arrest of DAP Tamil legislators was not known to DAP leaders in the ruling regime. This upset the DAP leadership considerably.<\/p>\n

Though the Democratic Action Party leadership was pre-dominantly Chinese the party hierarchy as well as membership stood by the Malaysian Tamil community and protested most vehemently to Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammed. DAP leaders began talking of a conspiracy within Govt circles to weaken the party . This compelled Malaysia’s Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, to tell the \u201cSun Daily News\u201d- \u2018\u2019The government wants to know why this matter is happening. We don\u2019t like to use power to weaken any quarter.”<\/p>\n

Malaysian Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It soon became apparent that the \u201cTiger Twelve\u201d arrest operation had been kept a closely guarded secret without the Prime Minister and many Govt ministers knowing beforehand. The operation masterminded by Deputy Commissioner Ayob Khan had been given the green light by Malaysian Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin. When this became known much criticism was levelled against Yassin and Ayob Khan. There were accusations of the entrenched \u201cdeep state\u201d in Malaysia trying to break up Govt unity and foment ethnic animosity by this action. The Home minister was asked to resign by some .Others pressured the PM to sack him.<\/p>\n

Yassin defended himsekf by saying that the LTTE had been classified as a terrorist organization in Malaysia under Section 66B(1) of the the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001. The Home Minister said the LTTE had been listed as a terrorist organisation since Nov 12, 2014. \u201cThe listing of the entity is based on the latest intelligence and security information received from the authorities, including the police and other monitoring agencies,\u201d said Muhyiddin Yassin.<\/p>\n

Elaborating further the Malaysian Home minister said \u201cBased on the latest information received from the authorities, I as the home minister have strong grounds to maintain listing LTTE as a terrorist organization. The LTTE posed a threat to public safety and national security. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the authorities to take action according to the law to prevent the spread of ideologies and activities related to this group.\u201d<\/p>\n

Though the Home minister maintained a tough stance on the issue , other constituents of the Govt , notably the DAP refused to toe the line. Senior DAP leaders began criticizing the action openly.There were also accusations of ethnic discrimination and double standards against the law authorities notably the counter -terrorist Police chief Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchai. Several Malaysians of the Islamic faith had joined the Islamic State and fought in the middle-east. They were now returning or being returned to the country after the fall of the Caliphate. The IS members were being charged under ordinary laws and given comparatively light sentences. Some were being rehabilitated.In the case of suspected LTTE activists the treatment was different. They were being held under the draconian SOSMA.<\/p>\n

Democratic Action Party Senior Leader Lim Lip Eng<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kepong MP and Democratic Action Party Senior leader Lim Lip Eng questioned why the police while charging former Islamic State (IS) fighters now back in Malaysia under ordinary laws were denying the 12 suspects with alleged ties to the now-defunct Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) the right to a fair trial. Eng said Special Branch Counter-Terrorism Division (E8) chief Deputy Comm Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay has seemingly applied a \u201cdifferent treatment\u201d to the latter, by detaining the 12 suspects under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma). Eng called Ayob\u2019s actions a \u201cglaring double standard\u201d.Issuing a statement Eng asked \u201cWhy is Ayob Khan showing glaring double standard and is two-faced in his actions on the suspected Malaysian terrorists in Syria and the alleged LTTE supporters in Malaysia?<\/p>\n

Pointing to the claims made by the Police deputy commissioner in his press conferences , DPA leader Eng said \u201c Ayob Khan said the police have evidence in the form of items and financial transactions to support the detention.\u201d Eng further said \u201cthe existence of such \u201cstrong\u201d evidence should prompt the police to charge the 12 suspects in court immediately.Ayob Khan has to explain why he denied the latter the right to bail and to be a trial in a criminal court.\u201d Queried the senior DAP leader and lawmaker \u201cWho made Ayob Khan judge and jury over suspected terrorism?\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

A clearer picture about the politics behind the arrests began to emerge gradually. It was suspected that a \u201ccabal\u201d with vested interests including politicians, Police officers and A-G department officials had executed a \u201csurgical strike\u201d to arrest LTTE supporters on charges of suspected terrorism and immediately detain them under provisions of the SOSMA law. It was done without the knowledge of the Attorney -General at a time when the A-G was on vacation. Thus the suspects were arrested and held under SOSMA without sufficient evidence to back up such action.A-G Tommy Thomas had been presented with a \u201cFait Accompli\u201d.<\/p>\n

No Evidence to Charge for Major Terrorist Offences.<\/strong><\/p>\n

But then as the Bard Robert Burns observed \u2018 the best -laid plans of men and mice do go awry\u2019. In spite of detaining and interrogating the 12 suspects under SOSMA , the Malaysian authorities found themselves unable to procure tangible evidence to charge the suspects for major terrorist offences. At the same time the Mahathir Mohamed Govt was undergoing intra \u2013 Govt tensions over the arrests. More importantly the Govt image was being eroded nationally and internationally. One of Mahathir\u2019s election pledges was to abolish notorious laws such as the SOSMA. Now twelve Malaysian Tamil \u201csuspects\u201d were being held under the draconian SOSMA while acknowledged Malay Islamic State\u201dterrorists\u201d were being charged under ordinary laws. Contributing further to the Govt discomfiture was the relentless campaign conducted on behalf of the arrested persons. Habeas Corpus writs were filed, applications for bail were submitted, demonstrations were held, petitions were mounted, the spouses of arrested pesons went on protest fasts. Furthermore there were many newspaper articles and public statements critical of the Govt on this matter.<\/p>\n

Against this backdrop the prosecution had to file indictment without delaying. Though the twelve LTTE suspects were arrested and detained according to procedures laid out in SOSMA the prosecution had to turn to the Penal Code containing the provisions under which the offences forming the basis of the indictment could be framed. The 12 persons charged for terrorist acts faced a total of 34 charges in all. The 34 charges under section 130 of the Malaysian penal code could be classified under five 5 categories of offences. They were \u2013<\/p>\n

(i) 6 charges for \u201cgiving support\u201d to LTTE in an event;<\/p>\n

(ii) 13 charges for \u201cgiving support\u201d to LTTE using social media;<\/p>\n

(iii) 13 charges for \u201cpossession\u201d of items associated with LTTE;<\/p>\n

(iv) 1 charge for \u201cdistribution\u201d of items associated with LTTE; and<\/p>\n

(v) 1 charge for \u201cdisplay\u201d of an item associated with LTTE.<\/p>\n

Malaysian Attorney -General Tommy Thomas<\/strong><\/p>\n

It was easily discernible that the bombastic claims of Ayob Khan at the time of the arrests were not borne out in the charges under the penal code. To many the charges seemed flimsy and \u201cunworthy\u201d of being described as terrorist. As the trial dates drew close the Malaysian Attorney -General Tommy Thomas dropped a bombshell on February 21st. The Attorney -General announced that he was dropping all 34 charges against 12 individuals accused of supporting Sri Lanka\u2019s Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).The A-G said there was no realistic prospect of conviction for any of the 12 accused on any of the 34 charges. \u201cAccordingly, in the exercise of my discretion pursuant to Article 145(3) of the Federal Constitution, I have decided to discontinue proceedings against them with immediate effect, \u201d he said.The Malaysian Attorney \u2013 General also issued an eleven page statement explaining in detail his decision. Here are relevant excerpts \u2013<\/p>\n

\u201c On 29 October 2019,12 Malaysian men were charged with supporting the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (\u201cLTTE\u201d). All the accused have since been held in detention under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012, otherwise known as SOSMA, and will face trials in the coming months.<\/p>\n

Founded in May 1976 by Velupillai Prabhakaran, LTTE was involved in armed clashes against the Sri Lankan state forces and by the late 1980\u2019s was the dominant Tamil militant group in Sri Lanka. Since 1983, more than 80,000 have been killed in the civil war that lasted 26 years.<\/p>\n

President Mahinda Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka declared military victory over the Tamil Tigers on 16 May 2009. The rebels offered to lay down their weapons in return for a guarantee of safety. On 17 May 2009, LTTE\u2019s head of the Departmentof International Relations, Selvarasa Pathmanathan conceded defeat, saying in an email statement, \u201cthis battle has reached its bitter end\u201d. With the end of the hostilities, 11,664 LTTE members surrendered to the Sri Lankan military in May 2009.<\/p>\n

In August 2011, President Rajapaksa presented to Parliament a repeal of the country\u2019s stringent emergency regulations introduced in 2005 to deal with the LTTE threat. President Rajapaksa informed Parliament in 2011 that \u201cfrom the time when terrorist activities ended in May 2009 until today there have been no reports of any terrorist activities\u201d. Independent reputable publications issued by the UNHCR, the US Department of State and Janes Defence Weekly confirmed that LTTE had ceased all activities in Sri Lanka by 2009.<\/p>\n

LTTE has Never Carried out Violent Attacks in Malaysia<\/strong><\/p>\n

The LTTE was neither suspected nor linked to the most recent bomb attacks in Sri Lanka during Easter of 2019. LTTE has never in its history carried out violent attacks in Malaysia.<\/p>\n

As Public Prosecutor, I must conduct myself in a manner which will maintain, promote and defend the interest of justice: The Prosecution Policy issued by the Australian Office of Public Prosecutions in August 2019 expresses it appropriately:-\u201cIn the final analysis the prosecutor is not a servant of government or individuals \u2013 he or she is a servant of justice”<\/p>\n

It is incumbent upon a prosecutor that the law is properly applied and to seek a fair balance between conflicting public interests. The intensity of preparation for a trial makes it different from investigation by the police or other investigating agency. Prosecutors must take account of facts that only become known as the case develops after charges are laid. The sufficiency of evidence to establish the \u201cbeyond reasonable doubt\u201d criminal standard is always a particular challenge. I must be satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction against each suspect on each charge. In reaching that judgement, I must exercise discretion responsibly and impartially.<\/p>\n

It is noted that 6 of the accused have been charged for offences that allegedly took place between March and December 2014. But prosecutors did not see it fit to charge them soon after the alleged offences had been committed. It is against the public interest that these 6 persons are tried in 2020 for offences allegedly committed 6 years previously. The passage of time is unacceptable for a case of this nature.<\/p>\n

The charges relating to the other 6 accused concern offences allegedly occurring in January and October 2019. But by this time, even if LTTE was still gazetted under our laws as a terrorist group, the defence will contend that LTTE has not been responsible for violence even in its home country, Sri Lanka in 2019, let alone having any impact on the ordinary affairs of ordinary people in Malaysia. The link is remote, specious and tenuous. Harm to Malaysians cannot be established by the prosecution.<\/p>\n

Section 95 of the Penal Code deals with acts causing slight harm. It provides:-\u201cNothing is an offence by reason that it causes, or that it is intended to cause, or that it is known to be likely to cause, any harm, if that harm is so slight that no person of ordinary sense and temper would complain of such harm.\u201d Section 95 emphasizes \u201charm\u201d: thus, a victimless offence or one which \u201charms\u201d no one should be treated with caution by prosecution.<\/p>\n

Supporting a Terrorist Group or Terrorist Act<\/strong><\/p>\n

Section 130J(1) of the Penal Code makes it an offence if a person \u201cgives support\u201d to \u2013<\/p>\n

(a) any terrorist group;<\/p>\n

or<\/p>\n

(b) the commission of a terrorist act.<\/p>\n

Section 130J(2) lists numerous examples of \u201cgiving support\u201d including: \u201cusing the social media or any other means to \u2013<\/p>\n

(i) advocate for or to promote a terrorist group, support for a terrorist group or the commission of a terrorist act;<\/p>\n

or<\/p>\n

(ii) further or facilitate the activities of a terrorist group\u201d<\/p>\n

19. Section 130JB(1) of the Penal Code makes it an offence for anyone who\u2013<\/p>\n

(a) has possession, custody or control of;<\/p>\n

or<\/p>\n

(b) provides, displays, distributes or sells<\/p>\n

any item associated with any terrorist group or the commission of a terrorist act.<\/p>\n

Section 130B(1) of the Penal Code defines the term \u201cterrorist group\u201d by cross-referring to provisions in another Act, namely, Section 66B of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001. Section 66B(1) of that Act empowers the Minister of Home Affairs, if he is satisfied on information given to him by a police officer, that \u201can entity has knowingly committed, attempted to commit, participated in committing or facilitated the commission of, a terrorist act\u201d, may, by Order published in the Gazette, declare the entity to be a specified entity, and therefore a terrorist group.<\/p>\n

However, an Order made under Section 66B(1) by the Home Minister that an entity is a terrorist group is not meant to be permanent or enduring. Parliament recognizes that, over time, a group that uses violence to achieve its purposes may change or adapt by eschewing violence and accepting peaceful methods of change. History is replete with such examples. Section 66B(9) therefore provides that the Minister shall review his Order \u201cevery 6 months whether there are still reasonable grounds for any such order to continue to apply to a specified entity\u201d, and if the Minister determines that there are no such reasonable grounds, he shall immediately revoke the Order previously made.<\/p>\n

It is therefore plain and clear that the law requires an Order declaring an entity a terrorist group must be reviewed every 6 months by the Minister. If its violent actions or tendencies continue, the Order stays. If, on the other hand, such actions cease or the entity itself becomes moribund, defunct, dissolved or disbanded, then the Order should be revoked. Parliament has used the expression \u201creasonable grounds\u201d, thereby indicating an objective standard reviewable by the Courts if a legal challenge is made. It is not a subjective standard based on whims.<\/p>\n

LTTE Declared a Terrorist Group on 12 November 2014<\/strong><\/p>\n

LTTE was declared a terrorist group by the Minister of Home Affairs by an Order gazetted on 12 November 2014. One of the accused was charged for giving support and distributing items associated with LTTE in March and June 2014, which were before LTTE was gazetted as a terrorist group. It is obvious that these charges against him simply cannot stand because at that point of time LTTE was not even gazetted, which is a necessary element of the offences. Additionally an argument is available to the defence of each accused that the declaration of LTTE as a terrorist group on 12 November 2014 may be invalid or at least ought have been revoked following a Section 66B(9) review of the Order.<\/p>\n

A \u201cterrorist act\u201d is defined in Section 130B(2) of the Penal Code to mean an act or threat of action in Malaysia or elsewhere which meets one or more criteria in Section 130B(3) and which expressly does not fall within the exclusion provided in Section 130B(4). The criteria listed in Section 130B(3) make it clear that terrorist acts or threats of action are contemplated to be grave and serious in nature. Examples include acts that cause death(s) and the use of firearms and explosives. The exclusion provided in Section 130B(4), on the other hand, makes it clear that acts of advocacy, protest, dissent or industrial action which are not intended to cause death, serious injury or risk to public safety are not terrorist acts or threats of action. Simply put, peaceful acts are not terrorist acts.The dividing line between acts which are considered terrorist acts and acts which are not, is the gravity of the act: if it causes or intends to cause death of another, it is a terrorist act. However, if it is merely a statement or protest, whether on the social media or otherwise, without threatening violence, it is not a terrorist act.<\/p>\n

It is commonplace to have idols to whom hero worship is displayed. It is not just pop stars, sportsmen or actors who are admired: historical personalities and politicians are often the subject of adoration. Thus, millions of people across the globe admire Lenin, Stalin, Mao Tse Tung or Che Guevara, and the like. Having their photos and other representations in one\u2019s mobile phone or on a Facebook account does not transform one to being a terrorist. Just because each of these leaders used terror or violence to achieve their political goals does not mean that an ardent supporter online should be regarded as a terrorist or is planning a terrorist act.<\/p>\n

The Common Theme of All The 12 LTTE Accused<\/strong><\/p>\n

That is the common theme of all the 12 LTTE accused. Each of them had in his mobile phone or Facebook account photos of Prabhakaran and other leaders of LTTE slain during the Civil War in Sri Lanka. If such conduct can constitute a criminal offence, it would bring the law into disrepute. But even if there were elements of a \u201cterrorist act\u201d on the part of all or any of the 12 LTTE accused by possessing, distributing or displaying such photos or Prabhakaran, it would be impossible for the prosecution to establish that they do not fall within the excluded category of Section 130B(4) of the Penal Code in that they merely constitute \u201cadvocacy, protest or dissent\u201d.<\/p>\n

For these reasons, I have decided that there is no realistic prospect of conviction for any of the 12 accused on any of the 34 charges. Accordingly, in the exercise of my discretion pursuant to Article 145(3) of the Federal Constitution, I have decided to discontinue proceedings against them with immediate effect.\u201d<\/p>\n

12 Accused Produced in Courts and Discharged<\/p>\n

The above excerpts sum up the A-G\u2019s reasons not to prosecute. Consequent to the Malaysian Attorney -General\u2019s decision all charges were dropped. The 12 accused were produced in courts in stages and discharged. Thus ended the saga of the arrest, detention and release of \u201cTwelve Tigers\u201d in Malaysia.<\/p>\n

There was however an interesting development. Deputy Commissioner Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchai has been transferred out as chief of the Malaysian Police Counter -Terrorism Division which he headed for the past five years. Ayob Khan has been kicked upstairs as Johore State Police Commissioner.<\/p>\n

DBS Jeyaraj can be reached at dbsjeyaraj@yahoo.com<\/span> <\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

This Article was written for the DBS Jeyaraj Column in the \u201cDaily Mirror\u201d of February 29, 2020. It can be accessed here:<\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.dailymirror.lk\/opinion\/Arrest-detention-and-release-of-Tiger-Twelve-in-Malaysia\/172-184060<\/a><\/p>\n

Tweet<\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by D.B.S.Jeyaraj In October last year, twelve Malaysian Nationals of Tamil origin were arrested by the Malaysian Police over suspected links to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and alleged involvement in terrorist activity. The head of Malaysian Police Special Branch Counter-Terrorism division Deputy Commissioner Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay went to town with claims …<\/p>\n

Continue reading ‘How and Why Twelve LTTE Suspects Were Arrested and Released in Malaysia’ »<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[27],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67863"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=67863"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67863\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":67918,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67863\/revisions\/67918"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=67863"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=67863"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=67863"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}