09/09/2006
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Friday the two Malaysians reported to have been sent to Guantanamo Bay must be given a fair trial.
"It is important that they get a fair trial," the Prime Minister said when asked to comment on foreign reports that two Malaysians in US custody for alleged terrorist activities had been moved from secret CIA prisons to Guantanamo Bay for trials. Abdullah said he had asked Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar to get details from the Malaysian mission in Washington on the two Malaysians who were moved together with 12 others to the Cuban bay camp. "I have instructed Syed Hamid to get in touch with our people in Washington to check what is happening," he told reporters after opening an exhibition on the Quran at the Islamic Arts Museum here. No information is immediately available on the Malaysians, identified as Mohamed Farik Amin, who is also known as Zubair, and Lillie @ Mohammed Nazir Lep, and their alleged terrorist acts but the reports said they were being held in connection with al-Qaeda-related terrorist activities. When asked whether he was surprised with the development, Abdullah who is also Internal Security Minister, said: "No I'm not very surprised." Asked whether it was a trend among young people to get involved in terrorist activities, Abdullah said he did not think so. "These people have become associated with religious organisations in Pakistan and Afghanistan and subscribe to the philosophy of JI (Jemaah Islamiah) and its background," he said. On the appointment of Tan Sri Musa Hassan as the new Inspector-General of Police, Abdullah said: "He is the right man for the job. I believe that he can perform well with a good reputation and integrity." Earlier, in his speech, Abdullah urged Muslims to study the contents of the Quran, especially topics that impart lessons and knowledge. "The Quran should not be kept in the library nor merely used as a decoration but should be read to benefit from it," he said. He said that at the height of the Islamic era, many experts skilled in medicine, astrology and mathematics had emerged through their study of the Quran. Unfortunately, Muslims today were not that interested in the Quran, and as a result, they appeared to be groping in the dark, he said. As such, he added, the Islam Hadhari (Civilisational Islam) approach initiated by the government would focus on studying all aspects of teaching and knowledge contained in the Quran. Meanwhile, in KANGAR, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the government would seek the views of Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail regarding the detention of the two Malaysians. "Besides the AG, we will also seek the opinion of the Foreign Ministry before taking any action," he told reporters. Najib, who is also defence minister, said the government knew that the two were detained in Thailand before being taken to secret CIA prisons abroad. SOURCE: Bernama.com.my |
