Malaysia can never become the best democracy in the world when other repressive laws exist and judicial independence is in question

PETALING JAYA: DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang said Malaysia could never be the “best democracy in the world” when there are other repressive laws in place apart from the Internal Security Act (ISA).

A Bernama reported yesterday quoted Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak as saying that the government decided to repeal the ISA in an effort to make Malaysia the “best democracy in the world”.

Najib added that the decision was made as part of the government’s transformation plan as Malaysians are now more mature and aware of their civil liberties.

“With the existence other draconian laws like the Universities and Universities Colleges Act, Official Secrets Act and Seditions Act, Najib’s aspirations of a real democracy would remain a pipe dream.

“Besides the Malaysian judiciary is also tatters since (former premier) Mahathir sacked prominent judges in 1998, among them the then Lord President Salleh Abbas,” said Lim.

If Najib was sincere, Lim said the government should start by revoking its arbitrary ban on electoral reform movement Bersih 2.0 and drop all charges levelled at many who took part in the rally on July 9.

“He should also overhaul the AG Chambers, the police force, Election Commission and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC) to ensure their impartiality and independence.

“And the government should engage all political parties and the civil society as to how Malaysia can transform itself from a ‘flawed democracy’ into a ‘full-fledged democracy’,” he said.

Last year, the Economist Intelligence Unit Democracy Index 2010 categorised Malaysia as a ‘flawed democracy’ when its ratings dipped to 6.19 points from the 6.36 it enjoyed in 2008.