Secret....secret... and suddenly tabled in Parliament and quickly passed. (This is what is happening with the ISA - suddenly, we will have the Bill in Parliament in March - and the MPs will be asked to vote...)
Something is very wrong with this process - yes, the people seem to be left out. There is no time for even the MPs to get back and consult with his/her constituents, and will have to immediately vote "Yes' if BN, and "No', if Opposition. The voting patterns in the Parliament also is indicative of the character and the quality of Malaysia's parliamentarians. The question is never whether you support it or not - MPs, especially from the UMNO-led BN, have really no need to think, or question, ....but just vote anything put forward by the government.
What are the amendments proposed - please consult the people...on this controversial ISA - There is a precedence, for this was what was done when the Criminal Procedure Code,... was being amended. A select committee formed. Select Committee go around the country having dialogues and getting feedback. Select Committee present feedback and proporsals back to Parliament... and we move on.
Save for 'emergency' Bills, all Bills should be presented to all MPs at least at the sitting before which the Bill is scheduled for 1st reading. This will give time for study', consultations, etc..
PUTRAJAYA: Amendments to the highly-controversial Internal Security Act (ISA) is expected to outline in detail acts defined as a threat to national security."We are doing this for the public and no one, has any interest or hidden agenda"- DATUK SERI HISHAMMUDDIN TUN HUSSEIN
This was to dispel certain perception that the Act was being used to protect the political interest of certain parties.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the ministry had been engaging groups on the matter, and these concerned people had wanted the Government to spell out clearly what was defined as security threat to the nation.
He said those arrested under the ISA were found to have engaged in militancy and terrorist activities.
“Once the amended ISA is revealed, the public will have a better and clearer picture of the Act.
“We are doing this for the public and no one, including myself, has any interest or hidden agenda,” he said yesterday after chairing a high-level meeting to look to the amendments of the Act.
Also present at the meeting were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, Culture, Communications and Arts Minister Datuk Seri Rais Yatim, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan and Attorney-General (A-G) Tan Sri Gani Patail.
Hishammuddin said the draft of the amendments were in the A-G Chamber’s office and would be presented to the Cabinet once it has been looked through by legal experts.
The Act will be up for its first reading in the coming Parliament session starting March.
The minister said the amendments would involve the five areas of public concern – the length of detention, rights and treatment of detainees and their families, the power of the Home Minister, the use of ISA for political reasons and detention without trial.
“When the public sees that their concerns are being looked into, they will realise that we are doing our job sincerely and truthfully.
“I can say for sure that majority of Malaysians will be satisfied with the amendments,” he said.- Star, 10/2/2010, Move to provide clearer picture of offences under ISA
The Minister was reported stating, "He said those arrested under the ISA were found to have engaged in militancy and terrorist activities.". I believe he was refering to those who had been recently arrested under the ISA.
But Minister, the problem is Malaysians do not trust you (or the UMNO-led BN) government anymore. Do not lie to us.
With regard the foreigners, I wonder whether Malaysia even has any right to arrest and detain them? What law are they being alleged to have broken? Where did they allegedly break this law?
Who told us that they "were found to have engaged in militancy and terrorist activities"? USA? Britain? - well, they also said that there was weapons of mass destruction when they invaded and colonized Iraq.
Previously, those detained under the ISA had the right to challenge the reasons for their detentions in court - and if the Minister could not convince the courts, the detainees were released. [Maybe, this right of the detainee should be brought back in the current amendments]
The ISA is a very bad law - that allows for indefinite detention without trial (I believe the longest one person has been continuously detained under the ISA is 16 years]. Detained with no right to defend one's self. No right to a fair trial. Nothing - Detained just because the Minister feels it is right to keep the person detained.
Just abolish the ISA and all other laws that allow for Detention Without Trial. In Malaysia, we already have sufficient other laws.
No need amendment - just repeal the ISA
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