The Government Should Repeal the ISA

The recent arrests of three individuals, under the Internal Security Act (ISA) have been roundly condemned by politicians and the people alike.

The widespread dissatisfaction with the arrests, especially with what happened to Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng, shows the time is right now for the ISA to be reviewed.

I am glad that at last some leaders in my party, the MCA, and also from other Barisan Nasional (BN) parties have come out strongly against the ISA.

The detention of individuals without trial is fundamentally unjust. In Malaysia we have other laws, including many other security legislations, to deal with issues which are sensitive.

The issue of the ISA does not just affect one race. It affects all Malaysians. Many of us here have, of course, criticised the United States for detaining suspected terrorists without trial at the Guantanamo military base.

I am not suggesting that the police in Malaysia have acted in the same manner as what goes on in the US. But the principle remains the same, that detention without trial is unjust. The police are given far too much discretionary powers under the ISA.

And while I believe right-thinking individuals are a majority within the police, the ISA is still subject to abuse. Politically, this is also a chance for the BN government to regain some initiative in competing for the support of Malaysians.

The opposition parties have for years been using the repeal of the ISA as a rallying cry. Perhaps it is time for us in BN to seize the initiative once and for all and review the ISA. This will show the people that we have a government which listens to them.

The ISA can be replaced with some other legislation which offers protection against abuse and which allows judicial review.

I would also like to take this opportunity to call on the police to immediately release blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin. Justice is a bipartisan issue. It does not matter if Teresa is from the DAP and if Raja Petra is a fierce critic of the BN government.

We as Malaysians are mature enough to debate issues in a mature manner. The Malaysia we all aspire to is one which is mature, open and progressive. After 51 years of independence, let us move forward not backwards.

Dr. Chua Soi Lek