The Malaysian Indian Business Association (Miba) joins forces with all the groups that are renouncing the Internal Security Act.

The arrest of Sin Chew Daily journalist Tan Hoon Cheng, DAP’s Teresa Kok and blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin under the ISA is a direct slap on the face of true democracy that practices freedom of speech and expression.

Though the journalist was freed after a day, damage has been done by inflicting on her hurt, fear and agony. The sheepish reason of death threats against her cannot be accepted as she could have been investigated normally.

Malaysians have shown much maturity after 51 years of independence by rejecting race-based politics in the last general elections and are now joining forces to deny the use of suppressive and out-dated laws like the ISA.

These are good signs for the country which is continuously working to attract foreign investment. One of the most important criteria much sought by investors is how transparent our laws are and if we match up to international human rights standards.

The ISA should be abolished and nobody should be denied a fair and open trial. Why don’t we as mature citizens accept an individual’s right to expression? We may choose to agree or disagree but the fact will remain that we respect someone’s right to express their opinion.

If an opinion is threatening or defamatory in nature, the matter can be decided in a fair and open manner in a court of law. The use of ISA is completely unnecessary on today’s day and age. Miba appeals to the government to free all outspoken individuals who have been incarcerated under the ISA, including the Hindraf Five.

The writer is president of Miba.