The PAS 47th Annual General Assembly passed an emergency resolution to abolish the Internal Security Act (ISA)following today's revelation that Kamunting detention orders had been served on four reformasi activists.

PAS Youth chief Mahfuz Omar, who wrapped up the debate on the ISA resolution, said that the law is "extremely cruel" because it allows for detention without trial.

He added that the law is an instrument used by the Barisan Nasional (BN) government to cover up abuse of power and corruption.

"The authorities have lost all intellectual capacity to deal with problems and instead uses this very cruel law," he told the crowd of about 1,000 members in Taman Melewar, Gombak, Selangor.

The emergency motion came about after PAS president Fadzil Noor announced in his speech this morning that four reformasi activist had been ordered to be sent to the Kamunting detention camp.

Malaysiakini today reported that Tian Chua, Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor, Saari Sungib and Hishamuddin Rais have been sent to the camp, on the order of the Home Affairs Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Struggle must be consistent

Several ex-detainees were invited to share their experiences and support the motion to call for the abolishment of the law.

Central working committee member Mohamed Sabu, who is also member of Parliament for Kuala Kedah, said that the struggle against the ISA must be consistent.

"It is not about individuals but the law itself. So, no matter who gets detained we have to show our support," he said.

"However, I often notice that the support is not so great when a PAS member is detained compared with someone from Keadilan," he added.

A Yan (Kedah) delegate said he was "utterly sad about hearing the news because the ISA is not only a physical torture but a psychological and familial one as well".

"The less power or authority you have in a party, the more badly you are treated," said a Shah Alam delegate who was detained during the 1987 Operasi Lalang for allegedly practising religious extremism.

A Baling (Kedah) delegate added he was "kicked, flogged, scratched, hand-cuffed, shoved to the floor and stamped on while in Kamunting".

Insult to intellect

Meanwhile, four other resolutions were passed, namely calling for the boycott of the MCA-controlled Chinese media, the formation of an internal media organisation, the setting up of a National Unity Council and the establishment of PAS as the pillar of Barisan Alternatif.

All resolutions were passed unanimously with the exception of the National Unity Council, which had only one delegate's objection.

Central Working Committee member Dr Mohd Hatta Mohd Ramli who moved the motion on the Chinese media boycott said that press control by the MCA does not only impede press freedom but is also a subtle plan by the government to black out fair and balance news on the opposition.

MCA, despite strong public disapproval, on Thursday finalised its investment arm Huaren Holdings' buyout of Nanyang Press which publishes two major Chinese dailies - Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press.

Mohd Hatta cited several examples where the Chinese media had covered anti-PAS stories but had later given the party an opportunity to clarify, unlike the Malay or English dailies.

He added, with the control of Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press, two dailies deemed to be independent by the Chinese community, will now not report on news which may tarnish the government's image.

"This is an insult to the Chinese community's intellect, something that the Malay community has experienced when Umno took control of the Malay press (in the early 1960s)," he said.

"This is not only about the death of press freedom but a restriction on the minds of the rakyat," he added.

Mohd Hatta said that PAS can learn from the Chinese community in mobilising support from pressure groups to fight for issues affecting any community.

He called upon PAS delegates to support non-governmental organisations, commercial associations and Malaysian Election Appeals Committee (Suqiu) which have condemned the deal.

"We are not asking you to stop reading the dailies but stop buying them. With this we can fracture their economic power and prevent further intentions to control other media organisations," he said.

Meanwhile, PAS delegates felt that the setting up of a National Unity Council headed by the party's top leadership and top leaders of other religions was needed to correct the perception and confusion of others towards Islam and the party's struggles.