KUALA LUMPUR, May 12 — DAP MP Teresa Kok today launched a campaign to raise the RM50,000 she was ordered to pay after she lost her civil suit against the police and the government for her wrongful detention under the now-repealed Internal Security Act (ISA).

The Seputeh MP along with Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai announced the "RM 1 for Teresa Kok" campaign, which encourages the public to donate that or any other amount towards paying for the court costs.

They said the bid would also double as a message to the government that such a hefty fine discourages Malaysians from seeking legal recourse.

"Although she lost, we found that the amount awarded [to] the government may have severe implication to the advancement of public awareness,

"The courts alone may become a severe discouragement and deterrent in getting ordinary folks who feel helpless towards the mighty government to take up their case to seek justice through a court of law," Tan said during a press conference launching the fundraiser at the DAP headquarters today.

Kok said she has already collected RM1,501.11 from well wishers and supporters through her Seputeh office following the court decision.

On May 6, she also filed an appeal against High Court judge Datuk Su Geok Yam's decision to dismiss her case with costs.

Kok added that the High Court's decision was a contentious issue among lawyers as many disagreed with the decision, adding that previous ISA detainees have had courts rule in their favour.

"The decision of the High Court is highly controversial in the legal circle because a lot of lawyers disagree with the decision. You've seen former ISA detainees have won their case in court before," she said.

She added that she did not know when she would have to pay the RM50,000, but will be going ahead with the fundraiser until she receives a letter from the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC).

Justice Su ruled on April 22 that the High Court was bound by the Court of Appeal’s decision in the 2010 Borhan case, which followed the Federal Court verdict in the 2002 Kam Teck Soon case that decided that courts are not authorised to question police powers to arrest and detain one under the ISA.

Kok was detained in 2008 under the controversial law, which had provided for detention without trial, based on rumours about her allegedly opposing the azan of a mosque in Puchong.