Maria Chin, now in solitary confinement, allowed family visit

KUALA LUMPUR: Bersih 2.0 chair Maria Chin Abdullah (pix) was allowed a visit by her family members and a lawyer on Sunday.

Maria was detained on Friday in a pre-Bersih 5.0 swoop by police on several opposition leaders and activists and is now held under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) at an undisclosed location.

Maria was taken to the Dang Wangi police headquarters for the family's visit.

Her younger sister, Cynthia Chin, said Maria looked alright but tired.

"We were allowed to bring her food but she said she did not have the appetite.

"She is in good spirits. She told us to continue the fight," Cynthia said outside the police headquarters on Sunday.

Cynthia came with her father and Maria's three sons, Azumin, Aziman and Azemi.

They were allowed to see her for one-and-a-half hours.

Aziman said his mother looked visibly tired but seemed fine.

"She asked to congratulate everyone who came for the rally yesterday (Saturday)," he said.

Maria's lawyer, R. Sivarasa, said she is being held in solitary confinement at an undisclosed location.

"She has been placed in a cell with no windows and only lights for 24 hours.

"If you ask me those are torturous conditions by international standards," he said adding that under Sosma, Maria could be detained for up to 28 days.