Only one BN MP signs petition for debate on ISA

One BN parliamentarian has signed an opposition-initiated petition calling for a debate on the Internal Security Act (ISA) in the Dewan Rakyat when it reconvenes after the Deepavali break.

The opposition said that a total of 76 BN MPs had been contacted for their support.

Revealing this today, Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) said while it is "historic" that as many as one-third of all MPs inked their support for the debate, the signatures did not reflect the public pronouncements of several top leaders of Barisan component parties which have called for a review of the preventive detention law.

"I am disappointed that up until now, only one Barisan Nasional MP has been willing to support this letter to the prime minister (Abdullah Ahmad Badawi), as this is not a commitment to abolish the ISA... but only a call to debate whether the ISA should be reviewed or repealed."

Lim declined to reveal the identity of the sole Barisan MP who had signed the petition.

The DAP leader said this at a press conference held at Parliament lobby today. Lim was flanked by Kamaruddin Jaffar (PAS-Tumpat) and Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (PKR-Machang) and a dozen other Pakatan MPs.

The petition - the first of two on the issue that will be submitted soon to Abdullah who, as prime minister, decides the order of motions to be deliberated by the Dewan Rakyat - is the work of a parliamentary caucus set up to campaign for the release of Teresa Kok (DAP-Seputeh) from ISA detention.

Kok was detained for a week in mid-September under the ISA, ostensibly in relation to claims that she had gotten involved in moves to stop or lower the volume of azan (calls to prayer) from certain mosques.

Both Kok and the said mosques have denied the allegations.

Following Kok’s release on Sep 19, the caucus has instead focused on the complete abolition of the ISA.

Lim noted that the situation does not bode well for MCA and Gerakan, whose top leaders have called for a review of the ISA, that their MPs had not shown more support for the petition.

Lim said the failure of these two parties to translate the resolutions made at recent annual conferences - to push for a review of the ISA - would be tantamount to betraying their delegates.

"It means they have betrayed the mandate of the annual MCA and Gerakan delegates’ conference," Lim said, adding that 80 Pakatan MPs signed the petition. Three Independent MPs have also given their approval and with the sole BN MP, the number now stands at 84.

Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah) later revealed that 23 Barisan MPs and cabinet ministers who were approached had refused to sign the petition.

"Some said while they personally agreed with our action, they did not dare to place their signature because they have not received any instructions from the top (Barisan leadership) regarding the matter," said Johari Abdul (PKR-Sungai Petani).

Kok, who submitted the motion to debate the ISA, said the "oppression" of even MPs by the authorities using the act should be looked at seriously by both Barisan and Pakatan parliamentarians.

"Members of parliament must defend their rights and integrity as elected representatives," she said.

On another matter, Lim said he would like to meet with Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar to seek clarification regarding the revocation of Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader P Waythamoorthy’s passport.

Hindraf yesterday showed documents allegedly showing Waythamoorthy’s passport had been revoked by the Malaysian authorities.

Following the ‘disclosure’, Lim called for Syed Hamid to be referred to the Dewan Rakyat’s Special Privileges Committee for lying to the House.

Syed Hamid, however, was reported today to have said he - responding to moves by "relevant authorities" to cancel Waythamoorty’s passport - had directed that there be no such revocation so that Waythamoorthy could travel back to Malaysia freely.

He also lambasted Lim for claiming otherwise.

Still on the issue of Hindraf, Lim said there have been no additional facts or developments to warrant banning Hindraf if no reason had been uncovered in the past several months.

On the controversy surrounding the RM2.3 billion Eurocopter deal, Lim called for the Public Accounts Committee headed by Azmi Khalid (BN-Padang Besar) to work overtime in ensuring its investigations into the matter would be completed so that the issue could be debated in Parliament before it adjourns in December.