The Internal Security Act (ISA) is an outdated piece of legislation. It was originally put into force to curb communist insurgency to preserve the internal security of the nation. Its draconian nature allows the executive government to detain individuals without trial.
Instead of the Act being revoked long time ago because it has outlived its usefulness, of late we have seen it being abused and invoked to detain persons whom the administration believe are a threat to them.
The recent victims are Raja Petra Kamarudin, Tan Hoon Cheng and Teresa Kok.
When there is mass public outcry against their unlawful and unwarranted detentions, the Badawi administration reacted quickly by offering all kinds of public statements. Two of the most prominent leaders who have come out to rationalise the government’s actions are Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi and Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar. At best the statements they make are generally viewed by the public as ludicrous, absurd and bordering on stupidity. As days progress, one seems to be lying and the other made a scapegoat. All in all both of them somehow sadly appear to be laughably tripping over themselves.
But the public is still greatly displeased and the people want to know one thing. They truly want to know the real culprit behind these recent baseless and unnecessary ISA detentions. Whose heavy hand has been tainted? Who has been the dark power behind these arrests?
The question for this week then is:
Between Abdullah Badawi and Syed Hamid Albar, who do you think is the minister who has abused the ISA and committed a crime against the people of Malaysia?
– Terjemahan oleh
