Press Statement by M. Kulasegaran in Ipoh on Tuesday, 16th September 2008:
Time to repeal ISA law once and
for all...
We are totally against the use of the
ISA by the UMNO led Barisan Nasional government to arrest critics, curb
press freedom and violate the fundamental rights of citizens.
The BN is again using the brute force of the ISA to assault those brave
and courageous Malaysians who speak out in the name of truth and
integrity about the abuses of power, corruption and racism perpetuated
by the ruling clique.
We reiterate our total opposition to the use of the ISA - the
unjustified and illegal detention use of force – against prominent Raja
Petra Kamaruddin, the owner of the Malaysia Today website, Seputeh MP
and Senior Selangor State Executive Committee Member YB Teresa Kok and
Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng.
On March 8th and again on August 26th, the Malaysian people expressed
their support at the polls for a government that is more accountable and
that fulfills its mandate as representative of the people.
The UMNO-led BN government has ignored this clear message from the
people. Instead of pursuing a reform agenda it has chosen to burn the
country to save itself and to maintain its odious grip on power.
We call for the immediate repeal of all unjust laws foremost the ISA and
other laws like the printing and Press Act and the sedition Act.
We reject the racial politics used by politicians in the UMNO-led BN.
The people want leaders committed to and capable of building a peaceful,
democratic, multiracial society.
Those who have been detained under the ISA should be released
immediately. We will offer every conceivable support to our friends and
their families as they face this ordeal.
Under the ISA, a person is detained without trial for up to 60 days for
an act which "prejudices the security" of the country. After 60 days
they are detained for two years.
The two years can be renewed for successive two-year periods meaning a
detainee can thus expect to remain in detention indefinitely.
This undemocratic law is an insult to democracy and the fundamental
rights of the citizens.
Passed in 1960 as a law intended to deal with a perceived communist
threat, it has long been used for a host of offences unrelated to
'communist threats' or, for that matter, to internal security.
More than five decades later it continues to trample on the human rights
of Malaysians.
People detained under the Act include political activists, religious
minorities, journalists, student leaders, traders, academicians, NGO
activists.
It is time to repeal this act once and for all.
* M. Kulasegaran, DAP National Vice Chairman & MP for
Ipoh Barat
http://dapmalaysia.org