bangkit.net

The threat of the use of the Internal Security Act against street protestors by the Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is uncalled for and shameful. The draconian law that allows for indefinite detention without trial and perpetuates the practice of torture is in direct contravention to human rights and should have been abolished long ago. The Prime Minister’s statement that he is opened to criticism but would resort to the ISA against street protestors is full of contradictions, if not hypocrisy. It only reaffirms the popular belief that there is freedom of expression but no freedom after expression in this country. Any genuine democracy will respect the right to dissent, including in the form of peaceful public rally. The assertion of Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin in the interview of Al-Jazeera that Malaysia is an open democracy is laughable when the people are not only disallowed to organize peaceful public assembly, but more seriously, will languish in jail without charge or trial under the ISA for indefinite period. History of the ISA has shown that the draconian law is often used when the main ruling party, the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) is challenged of its grip to power or faced internal crisis. Since 1960 when the ISA was enacted, more than 10,000 people had been detained with most of them being dissidents from the opposition parties, social movements and civil society organizations. The ISA threat on peaceful protestors is to silent criticism and to suppress opposition activities against the government. It is to protect the political security of UMNO rather than national security as trying to be justified by the Prime Minister. Suaram reiterates that the ISA and all other laws that provides for detention without trial must be abolished. All ISA detainees must be released or charged in an open court immediately.Yap Swee SengExecutive DirectorSUARA RAKYAT MALAYSIAAddress: 433A, Jalan 5/46, Gasing Indah, 46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.Telephone: +6 03 7784 3525 Fax: +6 03 7784 3526Email: suaram@suaram.net Web: www.suaram.net