We dont buy it, Pak Lah!
Published: Jul 11, 2007 10:47 AM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 10:21 AM
The Abolish the ISA Movement (GMI) is not the least impressed by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's latest confirmation that the Internal Security Act (ISA) is here to stay.
The Abolish the ISA Movement (GMI) is not the least impressed by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's latest confirmation that the Internal Security Act (ISA) is here to stay.
Chairperson Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said the internal security minister's powers to issue indefinite detention orders is far too arbitrary.
"GMI views Abdullah's statement as another stale attempt to justify the continuous use of ISA in the name of national security when in fact, it is for the interests of the ruling coalition and its political survival," said Syed Ibrahim.
In the Dewan Rakyat on Monday, Abdullah said the ISA is still "relevant and useful", but said the Act would be upgraded to safeguard the rights of detainees.
Syed Ibrahim questioned how "safeguarding the rights of detainees" could be achieved when detention without trial already violates the fundamental right of a person to a trial.
He said there is no justification to use the ISA when there are enough laws to deal with matters of internal security.
"We urge the authorities to learn from past experience and refrain from playing the role of judiciary," he added.
The ISA, originally used to quell the communist insurgency, is widely seen by critics as a law that is used to suppress political dissent.
The biggest swoop carried out was in 1987 when more than 100 politicians, activists, university lecturers and religious leaders were detained without trial.
Amnesty International Malaysia executive director Josef Roy Benedict also said the prime minister should not use national security as an excuse to undermine such fundamental human rights as the right to a fair trial.
"It is hypocrisy for Malaysia to sit on the United Nations Human Rights Council but maintain laws like the ISA at home," said Josef when contacted today.
On Abdullah's assurance that the basic rights of detainees would be protected, Josef maintained that ISA itself is an illegitimate law which undermines international human rights standards.
He said AI has maintained its position for two decades that the ISA should be abolished, not just because of misuse but because of alleged systematic torture of individuals detained.
Chairperson Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said the internal security minister's powers to issue indefinite detention orders is far too arbitrary.
"GMI views Abdullah's statement as another stale attempt to justify the continuous use of ISA in the name of national security when in fact, it is for the interests of the ruling coalition and its political survival," said Syed Ibrahim. In the Dewan Rakyat on Monday, Abdullah said the ISA is still "relevant and useful", but said the Act would be upgraded to safeguard the rights of detainees.
Syed Ibrahim questioned how "safeguarding the rights of detainees" could be achieved when detention without trial already violates the fundamental right of a person to a trial. He said there is no justification to use the ISA when there are enough laws to deal with matters of internal security.
"We urge the authorities to learn from past experience and refrain from playing the role of judiciary," he added.
The ISA, originally used to quell the communist insurgency, is widely seen by critics as a law that is used to suppress political dissent.
The biggest swoop carried out was in 1987 when more than 100 politicians, activists, university lecturers and religious leaders were detained without trial.
Amnesty International Malaysia executive director Josef Roy Benedict also said the prime minister should not use national security as an excuse to undermine such fundamental human rights as the right to a fair trial.
"It is hypocrisy for Malaysia to sit on the United Nations Human Rights Council but maintain laws like the ISA at home," said Josef when contacted today. On Abdullah's assurance that the basic rights of detainees would be protected, Josef maintained that ISA itself is an illegitimate law which undermines international human rights standards.
He said AI has maintained its position for two decades that the ISA should be abolished, not just because of misuse but because of alleged systematic torture of individuals detained.
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