Tun Dr. Mahathir: ISA is a law enacted by the majority

Former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad said in not so many words that the Internal Security Act (ISA), a law enacted by Parliament can be used, if and when necessary, to detain persons who are threats to national security, which include causing disharmony, instability and incite racial and religious hatred between the multi ethnic Malaysians.

 

Since ISA was enacted by Parliamentarians, who have been democratically elected by the rakyat themselves, it was deemed all along as a law that can be used to protect in the interests of the majority. This is within the context of practice of ‘democracy’. “Its up to the Government and the people to decide. This is a democratic country”. Tun Dr. Mahathir also stressed that if the rakyat feels that this law is no longer good and valid for Malaysia, then they should vote the Parliamentarians who are against such laws. Otherwise, the decision made by representative of the rakyat must be respected.

Tun Dr. Mahathir also added that there are proper and more appropriate ways to views grouses and illegal street demonstrations are definitely not the prescribed way. On the “ethnic cleansing” issues against the Malaysian Indians as per claimed by Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF), he said that it is completely not true and nothing like what happened in places like Bosnia Herzegovina and Croatia.

He said this at the launch of Tunku Sofea Jewa’s new book “Third World and International Law” and Perdana Leadership Foundation this morning. It was his first official appearance since his multiple cardiac arterial by-pass graft (CABG) surgery on 4 September 2007.

As the Prime Minister of Malaysia for 22 1/4 years, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad’s administration had used the ISA law, upon the advice of the Police and Ministry of Home Affairs. Also, the first act upon assuming the Premiership on 17 July 1981, Dato’ Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad instructed the immediate release of 200 detainees under ISA, which include former NST Group Editor A. Samad “Pak Samad” Ismail, former Political Secretary to Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, Abdullah “Dollah Kok Lanas” Ahmad, former Deputy Minister Abdullah Abdul Majid, former Parti Sosialis Boss Syed Husin Ali, Kassim Ahmad and former Sin Chew Jit Poh editor, Chan Ken Sin.

Recently, too many attention, diverse expressions and stance were explicitly focused and drawn on the arrest of the five HINDRAF leaders.

*Photo is courtesy of photo-journo-blogger, Jinggo

*An update as of 8.10pm, Saturday 22 December 2007

Mean while, the planned illegal assembly by Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA (GMI) and NGOs for the candle light vigil against ISA for 8.00pm at Dataran Merdeka was canceled by the organisers. Deputy Internal Security Minister Dato’ Fu Ah Kiow said this and also cited that they did not even apply for a Police permit.

*An update as of 8.00am, Sunday 23 December 2007

The Police will be willing to consider a Police permit for the GMI’s intention hold an assembly if its was applied and willing to adhered certain conditions stipulated.

Bernama.com has the report:

December 23, 2007 00:02 AM

Police Willing To Consider Issuing Permit For Gathering     KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 22 (Bernama) — Police are willing to reconsider the application by Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA (GMI) for a permit to hold a gathering here on January 5. The gathering which was to be held at Dataran Merdeka here tonight was cancelled by the organisers. “We will review the application and issue a permit if we are certain it will not disturb the peace,” Dang Wangi police chief ACP Zulkarnain Abd Rahman told Bernama. Checks by Bernama found the square to be what it usually is on a Saturday night without signs of any illegal gathering taking place. The GMI had wanted to hold the gathering to call for the abolishment of the Internal Security Act (ISA). — BERNAMA