Malaysia's anti-terror law protests increase

By Baradan Kuppusamy

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (IPS/GIN) — Public opposition is mounting against Malaysia's Internal Security Act (ISA), a colonial relic that gives police unchallenged discretion to arrest and detain anyone indefinitely without trial. Multiethnic Malaysia is one of the few countries that have such a law, and the reason given for its continuance is maintenance of interethnic peace — an argument that has lately become untenable.
Many Malaysians support the ISA, but last month's arrests of a prominent blogger, a journalist, and an opposition lawmaker under its provisions appear to have jolted the public. The journalist and the lawmaker were released almost immediately after a nationwide protest, but blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin, who runs the Web site Malaysia Today, has been sent to political detention camp for two years.

Raja Petra Kamaaruddin
Under the ISA, detentions can be renewed every two years. At last count, over 60 people were in ISA detention, many since 2001. Detainees include those charged with membership in the militant group that was behind the 2002 Bali bombings and is said to be linked to the global al-Qaeda.
Nationwide public protests to have Kamaruddin and other ISA detainees released are continuing. Because ordinary, usually apolitical Malaysians have joined the chorus, the government is under pressure to at least review some of the more horrendous provisions of the law, such as solitary confinement without access to family or a lawyer. The authorities have announced that a review of ISA is possible but have ruled out repeal.
One reason the issue remains unresolved is the contradictory positions found in the constitution, which guarantees personal liberty but also sanctions detention without trial. The judiciary has always ruled that since parliament passed the ISA, lawmakers know what is best for the country and that judges had no business interfering. This narrow view of law and justice contrasts with what is happening in countries like India, where "activist judges" are making laws and forcing changes through bold rulings.
The protests by ordinary people, lawyers, politicians, and even cabinet ministers are gathering momentum and may eventually force the government to review at least some of the provisions, observers say. It is clear that the fear of the ISA is easing, and many now boldly join anti-ISA protest rallies previously attended only by opposition party members. Even the usually reserved Catholic Church, Hindu priests, and Islamic religious scholars have joined the protest.
The protest indicates a changing perception of the ISA among the people. Where before they thought it a necessary evil, many now strongly oppose it as draconian.