Malaysian are concerned about the other preventive laws that will be enacted to replace the current draconian laws.

ERA Consumer will like to laud Najib Tun Razak’s commendable decision to repeal the oppressive and draconian ISA and other emergency declarations that allows for detention without trial for a prolonged period.

The truth about the preventive laws mentioned above is that it goes against basic human rights as the right to liberty is granted under the Federal Constitution of Malaysia and Universal Declaration of Human Rights of which Malaysia is a signatory.

However, we are concerned about the other preventive laws that will be enacted to replace the current draconian laws. We hope that the new laws which will be mooted will not just be a cosmetic change to the current ones wherein only the name is changed but the substance is maintained.

ERA also commends the move wherein, under the new laws, detentions could only be extended by the court and not executive, unless it concerns terrorism. This clear seperation of powers is something that Malaysians and civil society organisations like ERA has been demanding for decades.

As such, we ask the government to release all ISA detainees or charge them in court as per international norms to portray the government’s sincerity.

ERA Consumer also welcomes the decision to repeal the Banishment Act and to do away with the annual publishing permits under the Printing Press and Publications Act (PPPA). Once again, the right to freedom to information and freedom of speech is not something new.

This right is provided for in the Federal Constitution and UDHR but it was never adhered to. In fact, there has been a crackdown on freedom of speech and freedom of the press. With this amendment on PPPA, we hope that we will be able to promote a more ethical, fair and bipartisan journalism where people would no longer need to rely heavily on alternate media.

Finally, ERA commends the Prime Minister’s political will to amend the Police Act which would inevitably allow for freedom of assembly in accordance with international norms, the Federal Constitution and UDHR.

However, we note this amendment with disappointment as street protests will be deemed illegal. We humbly request the Prime Minister to look into this again and further liberalise his approach in regards to street protests.

We, the civil society and ‘rakyat’ of Malaysia do not wish to see another mass arrest and brutal treatments by law enforcement officers in the wake of protest as was seen in Bersih 2.0 rally.

As we walk into a new dawn where the ‘rakyat’ are better informed and matured on their human, political, civil and constitutional rights, it is only fitting if further liberlisation is accorded. Nevertheless, it is still a good beginning and we hope that this momentum would not be lost.