The island republic's Internal Security Department detained without trial 22 young Roman Catholic church and social activists as well as professionals. They were accused of being members of a Marxist conspiracy to subvert the Singapore government.  

Operation Spectrum took place on May 21, 1987 and a second wave of arrests occurred a month later on June 20. "After they were released, several of the detainees issued a statement countering government denials that they had been tortured. They were promptly rearrested." -- Wikipedia citation

Operation Lalang was carried out on October 27, 1987, and its anniversary will be marked by a special event this year.  

As a retrospective on both historical events, Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram), Strategic Information and Research Development Centre (SIRD), Abolish ISA Movement (GMI) and the KLSCAH Civil Rights Committee is organising the simultaneous launch of two books by former detainees of the security operations:

    * Beyond the Blue Gate: Recollections of a Political Prisoner by Teo Soh Lung
    * 445 Days under the ISA: Operation Lalang, 1987-89 by Dr Kua Kia Soong
 
Besides the book launch, there will be a forum discussion on the theme 'Re-examining Malaysia & Singapore's 23 Years of Civil Rights & Social Movement in Post-Operasi Lalang and Spectrum Era'.  

The public is welcome to attend this discussion. Entrance is free.  

Date: Oct 27 (Wednesday)

Time: 7:30pm-10:30pm

Venue: KL and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, Jalan Maharajalela

Book launch & speech

    * Dr Nasir Hashim (Kota Damansara state assemblyman, PSM national chairperson, Operation Lalang detainee)
    * Saari Sungib (Hulu Kelang state assemblyman, ex-ISA detainee)

Forum discussion

Speakers:

    * Teo Soh Lung (author, Operation Spectrum detainee)
    * Dr Kua Kia Soong (author, Operation Lalang detainee)
    * Hishamuddin Rais (Sosial activist, ex-ISA detainee)

Moderator: Maria Chin Abdullah (executive director, Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor/Empower)

For further information, please contact Nalini at 019-375 8912, Chong 016-379 7231, SK 019-352 3864