KOTA KINABALU: The abolishment of the Internal Security Act (ISA) has received mixed reactions from leaders in Sabah, with some accepting the decision with open arms while others are keeping their fingers crossed for a better tomorrow.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman led the pack of those in favour of the decision, describing it as demonstrating Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s commitment to uphold human rights and the freedom of a civil society.
“The Prime Minister’s announcement is testimony that the Barisan Nasional government has the courage to make bold decisions and prove its critics wrong.
“We are committed to upholding democratic ideals of not just racial and religious freedom but also the freedom of political ideology. As such, as Malaysians, especially the younger generation, must not take this freedom for granted but should religiously guard the peace, harmony and security that we enjoy,” he said.
Speaking to reporters after attending the State-level Merdeka and Malaysia Day celebration here yesterday, Musa, who is also the Sabah Barisan Nasional cum State Umno chief, said they welcomed this unprecedented move which was a milestone in Malaysia’s history and would definitely leave an indelible mark of conviction and courage on Najib’s leadership for generations to come.
Sabah Parti Gerakan chief Datuk Gordon Leong, in welcoming the announcement by Najib on Thursday night, said that finally, their efforts and hard work had paid off well.
“Parti Gerakan, at the national level, had been pushing for the review, reform and amendments of the outdated and historical ISA to suit current needs and conditions. The abolition of ISA is definitely a bonus,” he said.
He added the party would continue to contribute suggestions and inputs for the new Acts to replace ISA.
“The abolition of ISA shows that the Prime Minister cares for and listens to the people and that BN continues to be in touch with modern times as well as the needs and the feelings of the public.
“More importantly, it is in line with the Prime Minister’s transformation programme for Malaysia. Gerakan is also hopeful that the peace and harmony of our country, the people’s basic constitutional rights and national security would continue to be maintained and safeguarded with the introduction of the new Acts,” he said.
Industrial Development Minister Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah, who is also the Parti Gerakan vice president, described the decision as “recognising the civil liberties but at the same time to control the external threats of security”.
“I think it is the responsibility of every responsible government to make sure that the security of the nation is something that they have to ensure,” he said.
United Pasokmomogun KadazanDusunMurut Organisation (Upko) treasurer-general Datuk Marcus Mojigoh believes the ISA had been one of the frequently raised issues by various quarters of the people, including the international community.
“We in BN take into account the public interest and definitely not the pressure from opposition. When we raised the issue, the opposition joined the chorus … and after that, they claimed that it is the result of pressure from them (that the government has to repeal the Act).
“This is one of the many efforts taken by the government to transform our country’s image towards achieving a developed and high income nation as we approach the year 2020. So we are aware there are still many laws of this country that had been redundant over time. They either need to be repealed or revised (updated) to suit the latest development and time.
“As for law to deal with the emergency and security threats of this nation, such as terrorism, we have sufficient laws to deal with them and that is clearly spelled out in Article 149 of our Federal Constitution. In fact the Police Act 1967 is one of that laws that handles such situation.
“The Emergency Ordinance may be applicable as the last resort by updating and repealing all the laws that had been controversial in the eyes of the world. We want to tell the world that this country is at peace and should become a good model for other country to emulate, including the United States of America by relaxing their Guantanamo programme.
“I am sure the people will surely salute the Prime Minister for taking the brave move to transform what is necessary,” said the Putatan member of parliament.
Local Government and Housing Minister cum Sabah Umno treasurer Datuk Hajiji Noor, in echoing Mojigoh’s words, also hoped the people will continue to show their support towards the Prime Minister’s leadership.
“The decision to abolish ISA proves that the government and leaders listen to the people’s views. Various transformations are implemented to meet the people’s needs, and I believe the people can show their appreciation by continually supporting the government.”
Parti Bersatu Sabah vice president Datuk Herbert Timbun Lagadan on the other hand viewed the abolishment of ISA as “most appropriate, describing it as “a very brave and a noble act to be undertaken by our Prime Minister”.
“No one can deny that in the past, many individuals were arrested unfairly due to political affiliation with the opposition party. The nation and its people must however move forward to a higher level of freedom in expressing. On the other hand, we, the citizens must not abuse our freedom to bring about our own downfall.
“In any civil society, there is bound to exist a wolf among the sheeps. Therefore it is perhaps right to put in place certain provisions in law to prevent chaos and destruction to the nation.
“A kite can fly up in the sky because it was attached and controlled by a fine string. If you remove the string, then the kite would tumble down to the ground. The wisdom to put up an Act to ensure continuous peace in the nation could be the fine string to fly the nation to its highest level,” explained the Assistant Community Development and Consumers Affairs Minister.
His colleague in the party, Datuk Jahid Jahim, who is the Assistant Youth and Sports Minister cum PBS Youth chief, disclosed that in actual fact, for all intent and purpose, they had been pushing for the abolition of ISA since its introduction in 1985.
“Just like when the Prime Minister declared and recognised the importance Malaysia Day on September 16, this latest decision and announcement had proven beyond doubt that our Prime Minister understands the pulse of the new generation.
“Since the Prime Minister is moving towards a right direction, he deserves the support of all Malaysians and PBS Youth is fully behind him in pursuing a better harmonious progressive nation in the real sense of the word,” said Jahid.
Kinabatangan member of parliament Datuk Bung Mokhtar hoped the government will not lose its hold to protect the nation’s security and safety.
“It should remain as one of the priorities. We do not want to see because one is so eager to gain popularity, they forget that the sovereignty of the nation must also be protected.
“Let us take the United States as an example. For such a developed country, they are using the same Act as ours, in fact even worse than what we have … my point is that we have to ensure that our action will not backfire us in the future,” he said.
Bung Mokhtar, while pitying the former ISA detainees, also believes that they should not feel unfairly treated as what the government is doing today is part of the process of change.
“Plus they were arrested long before the ISA was abolished … sometime a person has to accept the consequences of one’s action, so let’s just embrace the change brought by the government.”
Sabah Progressive Party deputy president Datuk Eric Majimbun said the abolishment of the ISA does not mean the government does not have any other law to protect and safeguard the existing peace in the country.
“The Police Act and Penal Code, to mention some, are sufficient to protect peace and order in the country.
“Since this is a new announcement, we have yet to learn what the two new Acts are. We need to study (the Acts) if only they were to be tabled in Parliament,” stressed the Sepanggar member of parliament..
Sri Tanjong assemblyman Jimmiy Wong described the Prime Minister’s announcement as “insincere”.
“He (Najib) is not being sincere in giving what the people actually want.
“The Prime Minister should also abolish the Printing Presses and Publication Act 1984 and other irrelevant Acts so that people will have the total power to choose their leaders without any direct involvement from the politicians.
“We believe we are not fully supported by the media as most newspapers are directly controlled by the government under the Act. To provide a just government, the opposition should be given similar publicity as our counterparts in the ruling government,” he said.
Najib on Thursday announced the abolishment of the ISA 1960, and in addition be replaced with two new laws which are introduced to safeguard peace and order in the country.
The prime minister also announced that the government would repeal the Banishment Act 1959 and reviewing other laws to be in line with current needs, and a comprehensive study will be carried out on the Restricted Residence Act 1993 and the Printing Presses and Publication Act 1984 where annual renewals would be done away with, and replaced with issuance of license until it is revoked.
Announcing the matter on Thursday night in his special Malaysia Day message, Najib said the two new laws would be formulated “under the spirit and umbrella” of Article 149 of the Federal Constitution to prevent subversive elements as well as fighting organised terrorism and crime, in order to safeguard peace and public order.
He added the new laws would replace the ISA and would provide for a shorter detention period. Extension of detention can only be done through a court order, except in the law concerning terrorism where the power remained with the minister.