International human rights watchdog Amnesty International today condemned the latest application of the Internal Security Act on arsonists, noting that the executive branch of the government has been given too much arbitrary power in the use of the act.

The ISA has been used against passport forgers, smugglers of migrant workers, etc. Now that its use is being extended to arsonists, AI is concerned that all instances of arson, be they at a university hall or even a wet market, can be construed as a form of sabotage against public order or security, said AIs co-ordinating committee chairperson Joseph Paul.

The broad terms of the ISA fail to provide any precise definition or criteria for determining which individuals pose a danger to state or public security, he said in a statement.

Paul was responding to the call by Minister in the Prime Ministers Department Dr Rais Yatim that the detention-without-trial security law be used against the arsonists who allegedly torched Universiti Teknologi Malaysias convocation hall in Skudai, Johor last week.

Claims of arson were made by the universitys vice-chancellor Dr Mohd Zulkifli Mohd Ghazali though the cause of the fire has yet to established.

Universiti Malayas convocation hall Dewan Tunku Canselor was also razed prior to a function which was to be officiated by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad last year and authorities were quick to blame student saboteurs. This claim is yet to be substantiated.

Repeal act

Viewing Rais call for the use of the ISA with grave concern, AI called upon the government to repeal the act.

The executive has been given permanent, unfettered discretion to determine, according to their subjective interpretation, who, what and when a person or activity might pose a potential threat in the wider national interest, national security or public order and security, Paul said.

He said the ISA violated fundamental liberties as well as human rights, citing instances where detainees have been beaten, deprived of sleep and proper food, and mentally tortured.

Reports from many previous detainees suggest that most of the provisions of the (United Nations) Convention Against Torture are completely disregarded by the authorities when the ISA is used, he said.

Local human rights groups have repeatedly criticised the government for not signing or ratifying the convention.

The authorities have in recent years used the act to detain opposition leaders, students, as well as members of the so-called Malaysian Mujahidin Group (KMM) and others who it deems to be a threat to national security.