Former ISA detainee wants to sue Govt

QX179R SG

FORMER Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee Michael Fernandez wants to sue the Government for damages arising from alleged torture during the nine years he was in detention from 1964 to 1973.

His lawyer M. Ravi told The Straits Times he will file a writ of summons today with the High Court naming the attorney-general as the defendant.

He tried to file it yesterday, but it did not go through as the writ had omitted Mr Fernandez's address.

The Attorney-General's Chambers has eight days from the writ's submission to respond.

Mr Fernandez was a leftist union activist who, in October 1963, led a month-long strike involving 11,000 workers.

He was detained under the ISA the following year, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs, for undermining the security, stability and economic well-being of Singapore.

-- ST

likeyou SG

Sue the govt?

So easy?

Veggie Bao SG

The result of this lawsuit is known.

He should have shut up and be quiet.

Maybe he will get counter-sued, or at least when he lost this case, the cost of the lawyers of the government side is going to be billed to him.

So impetuous.

dechang SG

at least he got the guts to sue the govt lah.

even if not successful can let people know so they can vote for opposition party

Vote PAP OUT to Save SG SG

The timing is good as it is near the elections period. kudos to Michael Fernandez on that.

We see whether all the dirty deeds of the PAP will be exposed in the state media before the general elections.

dechang SG

he is already 77 years old. he probably knows that he has not much years left to live so he is giving all his best to fight againts the govt

Vote PAP OUT to Save SG SG

It will create headaches for Lee Kuan Yew.

Lee Kuan Yew is also old. He is going to die soon.

Mr Milo SG

Sue maybe not

Tie a bomb and kill himself with his arch nemesis, yes

Fcukpap SG

based on my crystal ball prediction....true change will only come after 2020....

likeyou SG

He will not win, that's for sure, and will probably be send back to jail again.

mancha SG

It is easy to allege torture, but difficult to prove.

Even if an inmate is well treated, he can come out and say he is tortured. To get compensation.

QX179R SG

DAYS after initiating legal action against the Singapore Government for damages for alleged torture, ex-detainee Michael Fernandez now plans to sue the Malaysian authorities as well.

The writ will be filed with the Malaysian High Court by this week, and will name Malaysia's Attorney-General and the Malaysian government as the defendants, according to Mr Fernandez's lawyer, Mr M. Ravi.

Its claims will be similar to those in a writ filed against Singapore's Attorney-General on Thursday last week, namely that Mr Fernandez, 77, was subjected to 'severe physical and mental torture, humiliation and loss of income' during his detention from 1964 to 1973.

At the time of Mr Fernandez's arrest in September 1964, Singapore was part of Malaysia. Singapore left Malaysia in August 1965.

Mr Ravi said at a press conference on Monday that Malaysian law firm K. Selva Barathy and Associates would be filing the writ with the Malaysian High Court.

Mr Ravi added that complaints would also be lodged with the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia and with the Malaysian representative to the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights, prominent lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah.

-- ST

limitedlu SG

govt has all the counter points ready. Dont think this guy is going to win. But at least he raises the issue

Rock^Star SG

there's no way he will win the govt machinery. They will dig out all the dirt on him. But at least he has balls! haha. Die with no regrets.

iveco SG

Isn't he that guy who was interviewed on Let's Talk by Chia Ti Lik some time back? I remember there were two parts to it.

Pure Emptiness SG

ISA hahaha lol

Pure Emptiness SG

Gahment secret weapon ISA.