Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email We will use Act against street protestors if we have to, says PM
By JANE RITIKOS
PETALING JAYA: The Government will use the Internal Security Act (ISA) against street demonstrators who threaten national security and disrupt racial harmony if necessary, warned the Prime Minister. “If there are reasons for us to use it, we will use it,” Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi stressed. He was commenting on illegal street demonstrations held in Kuala Lumpur recently, including the latest by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), which claims to be fighting for the Hindus in Malaysia. Abdullah said using the law, which allows for detention without trial, would be preventive action to spare the country untoward incidents that could affect its peace and national security. “The ISA is there, if the situation warrants it, it will be used,” he told reporters at the RMAF air base in Subang here upon his return from Cairo yesterday. On calls by certain quarters for the ISA to be invoked against illegal street demonstrators, Abdullah said: “I am very surprised that people want the ISA. I thought they never wanted it.” The police, he said, would decide on the appropriate action to be taken.
On rallies being planned for next month, he said he would leave it to the police to assess whether they would be a threat to national security. The annual Human Rights March organised by the Bar Council human rights committee is planned for next month.
Abdullah also warned that action would be taken against those who download and distribute the memorandum signed by Hindraf legal adviser lawyer P. Uthayakumar addressed to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, which had been published in the Internet. The memorandum alleges persecution of Malaysian Indians. He said the Government acknowledged freedom of the Internet but action could be taken against those who misuse it to spread allegations against the Government. The memorandum appeals to Britain to refer Malaysia to the World Court for crimes against ethnic Indians. It also claimed that “100 over Indians were slashed and killed by the Umno-controlled Malaysian government in the Kampung Medan mini genocide”. To this, Abdullah said that if Hindraf had indeed made such claim, Umno would act. “We want to know what proof they have (to support their claim). This is a serious accusation because they say it was Umno,” he said.
On Hindraf’s action, he said: “They want to kiss the orang putih (British). They want the orang putih to take action because they are not satisfied with us”. Abdullah said Hindraf got support from the Indian community who thought they would each get RM1mil in compensation from its class-action suit filed against the British Government for bringing Indians into Malaya to work as labourers. The Prime Minister also said that everyone must realise that accusations against the Government were made because certain people thought that the election was around the corner, and this was the case in every elections. “But we hear what they say. Some of the demands are in the process of being addressed while some have been addressed but they are still harping on it,” he said.
On Cameron Highlands MP S.K. Devamany’s comment in Parliament that the Hindraf demonstration showed there was frustration at the lower levels in the community, Abdullah said the Government must be fair to all. “If we focus on the interest of one group, others will be jealous, others will complain,” he said.
PM Abdullah has acknowledged on his return from Egypt that “What is important is that the government has to be fair to all because if we concentrate only on one group, others will complain. “We have to be fair in giving out opportunities to ensure the whole country develops and everyone can live in a peaceful, safe and harmonious country.”
So is Abdullah admitting that he has been UNFAIR all along and was not practicing what he preaches?
His latest threats on the use of ISA was condemned by the Bar council as high handedness & use of force to solve problems. More details
Go H E R E
Itss really crazy, if you speak out against the government because of injustice ,they use the ISA to lock you up ,if you bring up true issues in the parliament, you have broken the BN rule and should be punished. How silly can one get, what about the Rakyat Rights? What about discussing and solving problems like a man.
When will the ruling Umno ever change? Katak dalam tempurung, Really Malaysia is a Dictatorship where one cannot even speak out his rights, say anything, the Keris comes out or May 13 comes out. Come on fight for principles and equality! If we dont stand up now when will we ever have a chance. Surely they cannot put all Indians and Chinese under ISA.
The use of ISA it is really a treat, though at times like this I belive it is neccessary. Imagine this sort of things could actually harm other innocent people. He said it well when, this is only the frustration of the lower levels in the community. I am also surprise that they are some who daringly challenge the government in this manner as I believe there are many other ways of doing this.
Indians generally have been ill-treated as claimed but rarely the Chinese claim something like that.
The Chinese only complain when they are NOT entitle to Universities when they obtain straight A’s.
Something to think about, why is this only happening to the Indian Community in Malaysia? If our great grandparents/ grandparents were not sent here by the British Government, will our lives be any better in India?
all the asean nations from philliphines to mynmar in a way draconian.even in singapore,you need take a licence from the police.Maybe they might have better luck in australia and new zealand (even they are also very particular saying anything about natives (abroginals and maoris).I think the right way is to involve all entity’s those people effected,experts in civil law and islamic law.This people should be qualified in giving proper views.End of the day,what is the motive? Ensuring non-muslims rights are not infriged or creating some kind of sensation.Lastly,bar council role’s to be impartial and ensure the law’s are implemented according to the consituation.By questioning the malaysian consituation on conversion,it has taken a poltical dimension.I think it will be more suitable for paktan rakyat to conduct this kind of forum.Bar should be independant,it’s role is to ensure effective implemenation of law.