PM threatens to use ISA

The Prime Minister warned that the government will use the Internal Security Act (ISA) against street demonstrators who threaten national security and disrupt racial harmony if necessary.

Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA (GMI) also condemned a statement by Deputy Internal Security Minister, Johari Baharum, who said the "government has not ruled out the possibilities to use ISA on those who involved in illegal demonstration" (The Sun; 27 November 2007).

From Suaram:

GMI reiterates that the ISA is in total contradiction to all human rights principles, especially the right to be presumed innocent before proven guilty, the right to a fair and open trial, the right to legal counsel and the right to be free from torture. ISA is be indefensible and unjustifiable in any circumstances...

Johari Baharom should be ashamed of his statement, which makes a mockery of the 50th anniversary of Merdeka. The ISA was transformed from the British colonial emergency law that was used to suppress the struggle for Merdeka in the 1940s and 1950s. If this kind of draconian law was used against United Malays National Organization (UMNO) leaders that organized mass rally against the Malayan Union in 1946 and the UMNO's right to freedom of assembly were clamped down at that time, UMNO probably would not have even existed today.

References:

• GMI deplores use of ISA on HINDRAF rally [Suaram]
• We will use ISA against street protestors if we have to, says PM [The Star]