I am not sure if I am to view the comments by Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (TV3 8pm news) on the campaigns by citizens and political parties to abolish ISA with hilarity or gravity.

Preventive detention laws are against all common decency and international standards.

Our judiciary has taken a solemn view of applications before it as evidenced by the judgment of the Shah Alam High Court in recent weeks and the decision of the Federal Court to proceed with the hearing of the appeal in July even if four of the detainees have been sent to Kamunting under the orders of the home minister.

Surely the home minister must take the lead from the hearts and mind of the people? Enough of ISA. We want it abolished. Instead, in a complete misreading, the home minister conveyed veiled threats against campaigners within Malaysia and abroad.

What a sad bunch of politicians we have in the ruling party.

As for Rais Yatim, I agree with Saudara Lim Guan Eng, the DAP vice-chairperson, that he should return his doctorate. I have seen the book in libraries but for some reason have not been moved to purchase or read it. I guess it must be my innate feelings of a rat emerging from the pages!

The case of Raja Ahmad Aminullah Raja Abdullah's resigning from the board of Utusan Malaysia says that we are expected to grow into mindless beings, to act only at the whim and fancies of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Umno/BN. Any independent, critical thought is treason.