Monday, September 19, 2011

Perkasa's position on the abolishment of ISA


Perkasa is one of the most vocal supporter of ISA. Since the annnouncement on abolishment of ISA, they have held back any comment. They were assessing the situation.

After their emergency meeting yesterday, in which ISA was high on the agenda, Dato Ibrahim Ali stated their stance in a press conference yesterday.

Ibrahim Ali is a wice detained former ISA detainee. While, their Information Chief, Encik Roslan Kassim was detained once under ISA. In addition, there are 8 lawyers, a former Deputy IGP, former Air Force Chief and many community activist on Perkasa's Dewan Tertinggi.

Perkasa insist that the preventive element in the new law in the newly enacted law to remain. They expressed reservation of the courts in making decision in extension of detention. The new law must give people's right for security and safety and not be made political tool of both ruling and opposition party. This is in concurrence with ABITW view here.

Secondly, Ibrahim expressed agreement to certain relaxation to the current ISA practices believed to be implemented in the new preventive law. Among others are family visitation rights, shorter detention period from 60 to 30 days, etc.

Read The Malaysian Insiders report on the call to maintain preventive spirit:
Perkasa to reject new laws if too unlike ISA

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 18 – Perkasa will reject the new anti-terrorism laws the prime minister has proposed if they do not keep to the “preventive spirit” of the recently scrapped Internal Security Act (ISA).

Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali said it was necessary to preserve or even improve upon the preventive aspects of the ISA to ensure security forces have a viable “instrument” with which to quickly stamp out subversive activities and keep the nation safe.

The Malay rights leader cited alleged insults to Islam and increasing criticism of Article 153, which accords a special position to Bumiputeras, as examples of activities that could threaten the stability and safety of the people.

“We know who did it but it’s difficult to prove in court. But security (forces) know who is responsible,” he told reporters here after Perkasa concluded an emergency meeting to discuss the ISA’s repeal.

Ibrahim stressed that there should be no compromises when formulating the new laws as Malaysia’s development and progress hinged entirely on its security, adding that the ISA was one of the most effective tools to ensure the nation’s peace.

He urged the government to discuss the new laws with stakeholders, especially the police, before deciding on the contents of the proposed anti-terrorism laws.

“I hope the government doesn’t bend to political sentiment from any party when creating these new laws... What’s key is that the people should decide on their own security. This is the people’s right,” he said.

Perkasa will meet with Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein soon to discuss the details of the new laws, Ibrahim added.

On Thursday night, the prime minister announced that the repeal of the ISA and the three Emergency Declarations when both the Dewan Negara and Dewan Rakyat have their next sitting.

Datuk Seri Najib Razak said new laws will be enacted to protect the peace, harmony and security of the country.
The Bernama report on Perkasa's agreement on some relaxation:
Perkasa Wants New Law Replacing ISA To Be More Fair To Detainees

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 18 -- The Malay right-wing group, Perkasa, hopes that the two new laws replacing the Internal Security Act (ISA) 1960 will have improvements and will be more fair to the detainees.

Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali said that in addition, the movement wanted preventive elements in the ISA, which had become an instrument for the police in checking subversive activities in the country all this while, to be retained.

"We want the two new acts to be better than the previous act, such as reducing the detention period.

"But at the same time, we want preventive elements to be retained because two aspects in the ISA, namely prevention and rehabilitation had been most effective in tackling security issues in the country," he told reporters, here Sunday.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, in his Malaysia Day message on Thursday, had announced that the ISA would be abolished and two new laws would be formulated to preserve the peace prevailing in the country.

In this context, Ibrahim said, he and the Perkasa supreme council members would meet with Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein shortly to discuss elements that should be included in the two new acts.

"Perkasa also hopes that political sentiments from any group will not influence the formulation of the new acts, whether from the opposition or the government in order to fish for votes.

"We will not hesitate to reject the two new acts if they are perceived as not containing the preventive elements because we want the people's security to continue to be defended," he said, adding that the government should also review the Universities and University Colleges Act and the Official Secrets Act 1972.

3 comments:

  1. Anonymous5:07 PM

    If I were Najib I would have no repeal the ISA. Let the ISA stay as it..If the notorious Spanish Inquisition could last 354 years (1480-1834), why can’t the ISA last that long or at least until the last of all the architects and the executioners are already no more in this world. Najib should have some compassion to those, (who are still alive) who carry out the duty in drafting, implementing and executing the ISA..these include the KDN officers, police, warden, cleaners, cooks, ustaz of Kamunting Detention Centre....with the annoucement to repeal th ISA, their profession are now became mockery........furthermore PAS leaders now are calling for Nuremberg style tribunal to put on trial to those architects and executioners of the ISA...

    Prof Awe Kecik

    ReplyDelete
  2. suka hati korang laa nak kata aper....

    ReplyDelete
  3. Mat debu8:05 PM

    Najib ni drp Umno ke? PKR? Macam melaksanakan ajenda mereka aja.

    ReplyDelete

Plainly state opinion. Only mature and sensible views welcome.

Hostile, insulting and bad language comments NOT RELEASED.