The use of Internal Security Act (ISA) in detaining the blogger of Malaysia Today - Raja Petra Kamaruddin, Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng and DAP State Assembly Woman Teresa Kok on 12 September 2008 is an unwise move of the government of Malaysia.
The Internal Security Act has been enacted in 1960 under Article 149 of the Malaysian Constitution has been condemned by the people due to the abuse of power by the ruling party in detaining their opponents without trial.
All ISA detainees inclusive of the latest three victims must be released immediately and charge in the court of law. The draconian law of ISA shall be abolished and the right of the person to defend himself or herself in the open court must be allowed if the authorities have the evidences they have done any wrongdoings that jeopardize the security of the country.
The political uncertainties due to the poor performance of Barisan Nasional during the last General Election on 8 March 2008 shall not make an excuse for the ruling party to crackdown the people who are against them. Although BN still won 140 out of 222 parliamentary seats but the majority voices of the people are not able to tolerate with the existing government and want a change. The possible crossover of its own Member of Parliament to Pakatan Rakyat is more due in fulfilling the current voices of the majority of the people in the country. BN must accept the defeat and the fact that the people are no longer supporting them.
ISA which was formulated in 1948 to combat the armed insurgency of the Malayan Communist Party is a draconian law which permits the Minister of Home Affairs to imprison any person without trial if he or she was satisfied that such detention was necessary to prevent him or her from acting in any manner prejudicial to national security or to the maintenance of essential services or to the economic life in Malaysia. It violated fundamental rights, unconstitutional and oppressive, and has no place in a society that respects and upholds the rule of law.
Kamunting Detention Camp, Taiping
Section 8(1) of the ISA provides that ‘(i)f the minister is satisfied that the detention of any person is necessary …’ then s/he may issue an order for his/her detention. The three grounds given in Section 8(1) upon which the order may be based is where a person has acted in any manner prejudicial to the:
a) security of Malaysia or part thereof; or
b) maintenance of essential services; or
c) economic life.
b) maintenance of essential services; or
c) economic life.
The Internal Security Act has been enacted in 1960 under Article 149 of the Malaysian Constitution has been condemned by the people due to the abuse of power by the ruling party in detaining their opponents without trial.
All ISA detainees inclusive of the latest three victims must be released immediately and charge in the court of law. The draconian law of ISA shall be abolished and the right of the person to defend himself or herself in the open court must be allowed if the authorities have the evidences they have done any wrongdoings that jeopardize the security of the country.
The political uncertainties due to the poor performance of Barisan Nasional during the last General Election on 8 March 2008 shall not make an excuse for the ruling party to crackdown the people who are against them. Although BN still won 140 out of 222 parliamentary seats but the majority voices of the people are not able to tolerate with the existing government and want a change. The possible crossover of its own Member of Parliament to Pakatan Rakyat is more due in fulfilling the current voices of the majority of the people in the country. BN must accept the defeat and the fact that the people are no longer supporting them.
Barisan Nasional can always fight back as an opposition to function as check and balance for the new government in the case that the new coalition – Pakatan Rakyat manage to take over the country on 16 September 2008 or any other time that it may happens. The bottom line, the people want a healthy politics that emulate growth in economy and harmonious environment in Malaysia.
In the current political scenario, it is almost impossible for the current ruling party in Malaysia to “stop” the change. They shall have a self evaluation and find ways to improve themselves on what has actually goes wrong and how actually they shall rule the country in benefitting the majority of the people in the country not only to the selective few. By being the opposition, they have ample time in making the assessment prior to the next general election.
However, the “pride and ego” attitudes and the failure to admit their own fault will somehow cause a self destruction to the Barisan Nasional and all of its components party. In order to survive, the leadership of the Barisan Nasional must “swallow” and admit their mistakes and ready to play a role as opposition in this country. Otherwise, they are in the border of the “grave yard” and their existence will become a history in the country.
In the current political scenario, it is almost impossible for the current ruling party in Malaysia to “stop” the change. They shall have a self evaluation and find ways to improve themselves on what has actually goes wrong and how actually they shall rule the country in benefitting the majority of the people in the country not only to the selective few. By being the opposition, they have ample time in making the assessment prior to the next general election.
However, the “pride and ego” attitudes and the failure to admit their own fault will somehow cause a self destruction to the Barisan Nasional and all of its components party. In order to survive, the leadership of the Barisan Nasional must “swallow” and admit their mistakes and ready to play a role as opposition in this country. Otherwise, they are in the border of the “grave yard” and their existence will become a history in the country.
