KOTA KINABALU: Leaders from both political divide were mostly in agreement that there was no need to revive the Internal Security Act (ISA) as proposed by former Prime Minister Tun Mahathir Mohamad and supported by IGP Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.
For Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan, he said that while the frustration of certain people over the issue of crime and sensitivities in this country is understandable, everyone must accept the fact that the era of ISA is over in Malaysia.
“We have moved on. We are now in the era of citizen empowerment. What becomes of this great nation will be largely determined by the people of Malaysia. They will decide if this country will be better off and progressive or worse off and totally wasted.
“I am of the opinion that the majority of Malaysians are peace loving and sensible individuals who will steer the country to moderation, level headedness and kindness. For those who are foolish enough to cross the line, we have enough laws as it is to handle them without resorting to ISA,” the Kota Belud Member of Parliament stressed.
LDP president Datuk Teo Chee Kang when asked for his comment pointed out that the the proposal to repeal the Internal Security Act 1960 (ISA) was first announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak on 15 September 2011 with the aspiration to realize a mature, modern and functioning democracy; preserve public order; enhance civil liberty and maintain racial harmony.
“With the enactment of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act which took effect in June 2012, we have struck the right balance between preservation of public order and the enhancement of civil liberty.
“The new Act was applied for the arrest of 104 Filipino intruders in the Kampung Tanduo incident. Unless there exist new circumstances that warrant changes in the law, its position should not be disturbed,” the Minister of Special Tasks and Tanjung Kapor assemblyman stressed.
Angkatan Perubahan Sabah (APS) president Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Bumburing was of the opinion that it was ridiculous for Mahathir to suggest the re-introduction of ISA.
He said that it was a hard fought victory for the rakyat to have the draconian law repealed in Parliament.
“There are adequate laws to deal with all sorts of extremism in the country today. The reason for the resurgence of extremism is the seemingly weak leadership in the government today. When the ugly head of racial and religious extremism appeared the government seems to take a partisan stand.
“The so-called fatwa by a mufti on protesters is the most dangerous form of extremism as it was a dictum pronounced from a religious platform which has very serious repercussions. The government should have taken quick action to arrest the Mufti. The ISA is out of date. Citizens must have recourse to self-defense in a court of law,” the Tamparuli assemblyman pointed out.
SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee pointed out that past abuses of ISA had discredited the preventive law. The integrity and political independence of the police has not been sufficiently restored in the public mind to be conducive to bring back the ISA.
What the police needs is more resources backed by commitment to fighting crime, he opined.
Sabah PKR chairman Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin said that whatever law made must benefit the people.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi has said that the ISA will not be revived but added that the government will amend existing Acts or create new ones to address the actions of extremists which is the same as ISA, the Klias assemblyman pointed out.
“To me people will not be happy with any law that they deem will not benefit and protect them,” he stressed.
Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) secretary general, Datuk Johnny Mositun, said he was appalled at the idea of bringing back the ISA that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib’s administration had repealed and replaced with the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA).
“It will be a sad day for the country and a backward step in Malaysia’s march towards becoming a truly mature democracy if that happens. Datuk Seri Najib’s administration gave full thought to the matter before repealing the ISA and replacing it with SOSMA. Malaysia has laws to deal with any given situation. For now it is best to leave it at that,” Mositun said.
Mositun said it was his opinion that the police and other enforcement agencies and institutions should confine themselves to carrying out their duties effectively, efficiently and impartially and leave the matter of laws and their interpretation to the legislature and judiciary respectively.
Mositun said laws had to be drawn up with a conscience based on fairness to all, particularly the people at large and not for the convenience of certain individuals or select quarters.
Mositun pointed out that BN was in the process of cleaning up its image and aspired to relate more closely with the rakyat to show it was truly a government of the people.
“Those advocating authoritarianism and ‘unfettered powers’ for government, whatever the excuse, are out of sync with the times and mood of people everywhere, not just in Malaysia. Today’s better educated and more information savvy Malaysians can no longer be brow-beaten or threatened into acquiescence like before,” he said.
Mositun said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib appeared to be listening to the people when he repealed the ISA and other unpopular laws because he did not want to impose unpalatable laws on them.
“It is unfortunate that others, for whatever real or imaginary reasons, are unwilling to see things the Prime Minister’s way,” Mositun said and added that security laws could be refined and loopholes closed as the need arises without having to revive the ISA.
“The ISA was more than just a law. It had come to be seen as a hated symbol of oppression and a tool to suppress political dissent synonymous with the BN government. Datuk Seri Najib did right to repeal it because it had the potential to become the nemesis of the BN government,” he said.