Suaram to gov’t: Release Redzuan from prison immediately
PUTRAJAYA: Suaram today called for the release of Mohd Redzuan Saibon, 36, who has been detained ‘under the pleasure of Agong’ in the Sungai Buloh Prison as a juvenile detainee since 2000.
Redzuan was only 17 years old when he was detained in 2000 under section 39(b) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
He was later charged and sentenced under Child Act 2001 for being in possession of more than 30 kilograms of cannabis.
Suaram’s documentation executive Dobby Chew Chuan Yang said that Redzuan’s case was not reviewed annually despite such provision existing in Child Act 2001.
“There were only three reviews by the visiting judges in 2011, 2013 and 2017 instead of an annual review,” he said, after handing over a memorandum to Minister in Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Liew Vui Keong.
Chew also pointed out an overlap of jurisdiction involving several ministries in this particular case.
“The Dangerous Drugs Act falls under the Health Ministry. The Child Act is under Hannah Yeoh,” he said, in reference to the Woman, Family and Community Development Ministry.
“But the visiting judges come under the purview of the Home Ministry,” he added.
Speaking on the matter, Redzuan’s mother, 65-year old Siti Awan Abdul Jabar said that she is the family’s sole breadwinner, selling bananas in Jalan Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur for a living.
“He is my eldest child. I have three other daughters who are in university and the youngest is in Form 2,” said the wheelchair bound mother.
She also recalled the day Redzuan was arrested in Kampung Baru, where she was also detained together with her son.
“The police assumed the money used for my business as funds derived from selling drugs.”
“I was detained too. Redzuan admitted guilt so that I could get released.”
Despite the conviction, Siti insisted that her son was innocent of the charges.
“The drugs were not his. It belonged to his friend who gave it to him for safe keeping.
“I hope God gives Redzuan freedom soon,” said Siti.
By K Pragalath
