KOTA KINABALU: United Pasokmomogun KadazanDusun Murut Organization (UPKO) is against any proposal to revive the Internal Security Act (ISA).
Its secretary general, Datuk Donald Mojuntin, said that UPKO unequivocally opposes any suggestions or proposals to bring back the ISA.
According to him, former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed’s suggestion to re-introduce the ISA is a regression of where this country is heading to, a developed nation respected by other nations.
UPKO had always asked for a review of the draconian ISA whilst it existed, he pointed out, and added: “and when it was abolished, we were one of the first to sing praises.
Donald said that the present government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was correct to include the abolishment of the ISA as part of its Political and Government Transformation Program.
“Malaysia is a de facto and recognised parliamentary democracy. Its citizens are mature and knowledgeable. There is no place for an excessively harsh and so obviously unpopular law such as the ISA. Any notion from any government representative to support the return of the ISA will discredit the present government. It will show lack of conviction and commitment to a solid and wise decision,” he stressed.
Donald opines that the existing laws are more than sufficient to ensure the internal security of the country. It is a question of how to efficiently and effectively enforce these existing laws.
If the relevant and responsible authorities can do this, without fear or favour, without bias and with fairness, the actions of the extremist minority can be sufficiently curbed and controlled.
“Therefore, UPKO unequivocally opposes any suggestions or proposals to bring back the ISA,” Donald reiterated.