One would have thought that an administration that claims to have infused itself with so-called 'Islamic values' would have compassion, a sense of justice and fair play, and reverence to truth particularly in the holy month of Ramadan.

If the recent action of the Home Ministry against trader Nasharuddin Nasir, alleged to have been involved with Jemaah Islamiah, is any hint, such a public pronouncement of the Barisan Nasional government about its preference for 'Islamic values' is, to put it crudely, a baloney.

This is because it involves Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi ordering the re-arrest of this ISA detainee who had just been found by Shah Alam High Court to be a victim of unlawful detention by the police. The learned Judge, after allowing Nasharuddin's habeas corpus application, found no evidence to show that the latter was involved in any terrorist activities as alleged by the police.

This episode is also indicative of a ruling party that unashamedly makes a mockery of the judiciary, justice and democracy. It is as undemocratic as it is un-Islamic. Such arrogance cannot be mistaken for confidence on the part of the government.

Also, such vulgar disregard for the rule of law only shows that the BN government has no qualms about single-mindedly detaining anybody it thinks could upset its vested interests and power. If the US is guilty of exploiting the Sept 11 incident and the worldwide war against terrorism for its own vested interests, then the BN government is no less evil in stamping out legitimate dissent and criticism from critics and the opposition, particularly PAS.

Mind you, de facto Law Minister Rais Yatim subsequently even had the gall to announce its intention to tighten further the ISA so as to inhibit any possible judicial review of the Home Ministry's detention order.

Such undemocratic methods of retaining power would only create distrust and dissatisfaction among the citizenry towards its government. But more worryingly, this could help radicalise certain elements in society who feel that the only way to attain justice and correct society's wrong — after the executive has clobbered most of the democratic institutions such as the judiciary — is through armed struggle.

And by this time — and God forbids — no amount of anti-terror centres, of 'legal' intimidation, like the threat of using the Sedition Act, and also of military and police firepower would be able to stem this rising tide of frustration.

What I am also trying to say here is that, if indeed there are tiny pockets of militancy existing in our midst, then it is incumbent on the government to look at some of its policies and actions to see whether these also constitute one of the causes for increasing frustration and possible extremism in our society.