This issue focuses on the Internal Security Act, a harsh law that has no place in a democratic society. P Ramakrishnan tells us why the ISA is evil and why it has to go – now. He also reminds us of the abuse meted out in the name of national security.
Francis Loh describes how the country is effectively a ‘national security state’; he goes on to show how, time and time again, the extensive powers vested in the Executive and the police have been abused for political expediency.
ISA detainees Raja Petra, Teresa Kok and Tan Hoon Cheng as well as blogger Sheih “Kickdefella”, who was detained for alleged sedition, share their harrowing experience of detention without trial. All of them, except for Raja Petra (and 65 other ISA detainees), have been released.
We include a full list of the 66 ISA detainees still in Kamunting compiled by Aliran’s ISA Watch. We also highlight a collection of books by previous ISA detainees, recounting their painful experience in detention.
What is remarkable this time is that Malaysians have not been cowed into silence. This time they have stood up for what is just and right. They have lit candles, read poems and sung rousing songs at Abolish ISA vigils; they have flocked to prayer services and forums, they have driven to Kamunting, they have signed petitions, and they have blogged.
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In all this, they have single-mindedly pursued three objectives: the abolition of the ISA, the release of all ISA detainees, and the closure of the infamous Kamunting Detention Centre.
We shall overcome!
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AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
