Like many Malaysians, I would like to live in a peaceful country. However, when the government uses draconian laws against its citizens on the pretense of wanting peace, I must object. My idea of peace is not one where people are detained for their opinions or for publicly expressing them. The government has taken a step back in attaining peace for the country by cracking down, often violently, on the recent peaceful gatherings.

The detention of the five Hindraf leaders is extremely unfair and unjust. The ISA denies them their fundamental right to a fair trial. It is also against the principles of democracy and good governance, as promised by this government. By detaining the Hindraf leaders, the government has chosen to punish the messenger instead of dealing with the root cause of the issue. It does not solve issues of poverty and oppression which the community had tried so hard to bring attention to.

The rally on Nov 25 was a symptom of the many different forces and structures within the Malaysian society that makes the rich richer and the poor progressively poorer. Instead of demonising the event and those who sought to bring attention to it, the government should be looking at how to make amends and hopefully work in manner that does not further isolate or punish the community. Can they not sort out their differences in opinion through dialogue and discourse where all parties involved can come to an agreement or at least a compromise?

I implore the government to release those detained under the ISA. Surely someone out there believes in a form of peace where freedom and civil liberties are respected.