The recent arrest of Selangor state exco member Teresa Kok, Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamarudin and Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng under the infamous Internal Security Act (ISA) is a deplorable act that has been condemned by all Malaysians.

Although we laud the release of Tan and Kok but Raja Petra,the Hindraf leaders and about 60 others are still languishing in detention, not knowing what crime they had committed.

Of late the condemnation of the ISA not only comes from the opposition parties, NGOs and various human rights groups from within and outside the country but even from members of the ruling party, including cabinet ministers like former Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, who resigned in protest, a honorable gesture that is rare among our politicians these days.
 
We hope more of our parliamentarians attain the courage to stand up against this draconian law which has been abused so frequently to quell political dissent. Of late the rakyat themselves, regardless of their race, religion and political ideology, have come to detest the draconian law. Even the various religious leaders have condemned the ISA as being against the basic tenets of every faith.
 
Due to overwhelming public objection from all Malaysians, the government has no choice but to reconsider the use of the ISA to detain anyone for whatever reason. In fact the government should seriously consider abolishing the ISA altogether as there are enough laws to deal with those who are out to create chaos in a multi-racial and multi-religious society. What is important is to apply these laws promptly and fairly on anyone who breaches them. Ethnicity and political alignment should not be the factors that determine prosecution.
 
Instead of heeding the call of the people and taking steps to abolish the ISA, the government is adamant that it is a good law and refuses to even review its implementation. The blatant disrespect for public opinion indicates its arrogance that has not diminished even after its losses in the last general election. The BN appears to be charting its own downfall by its own arrogance and recalcitrance, not by any external forces.

It’s nonsensical to believe that such a draconian law like the ISA is necessary in this modern civilised era for maintaining peace among the races. On the contrary, its use not only fails to diffuse racial tension but its selective use on those who oppose the government, as is it practiced, only aggravates the already existing tense situation in the country.
 
Each time the nation recovers from a racial and religious conflict and is on the brink of attaining peace, harmony and progress, the ISA is invoked on the pretext of safeguarding national security, which takes the nation back to the sixties. If this continues, we will forever be in the era of the sixties, living in anxiety and fear of racial strife. How can the nation progress and move forward when a primitive and suppressive law is frequently invoked to threaten free expression?
 
Racial conflicts arise due to the disparities in the socio-economic status of the various communities. To avoid such a situation, what is needed is a fair socio-economic policy for all races based on the fact that all citizens are equal and their rights as stipulated in the constitution and not draconian laws like the ISA must be preserved. Nobody should be allowed to question or deny another of his constitutional rights.
 
Furthermore there is a need for greater commitment and zeal on the part of Umno, as the dominant partner in BN to foster more goodwill and tolerance among the races. Greater and more genuine efforts must be made to promote inter-ethnic unity by emphasising on the many common identities we have, not divide on the few differences that separate us. These are the ideals that should be taught in all schools if we want to ensure a peaceful, harmonious and prosperous nation for our children and grandchildren.
 
The voice of the rakyat that transcends racial, religious and political divide is loud and clear – abolish the ISA. As a gesture to acknowledge its willingness to listen to the rakyat, the government should first release all ISA detainees and reassure the people that it will not resort to the draconian ISA in future for whatever reasons. It should then work towards abolishing the ISA once and for all. Why have a law that is detested by the vast majority of people?
 
Racial incitement must be checked promptly and effectively with the existing laws of the country and not by resorting to the easy way out by detention without trial, which defies the basic human rights and the fundamentals of every major religion. There can be no genuine freedom and justice as long as the ISA continues to be in existence to be abused by the powers that be.

ISA defies every principle of human rights and must be resisted and fought vigorously by the people. Winning this battle against the ISA is not an option but a must if we want to move forward as a respected nation among the developed nations of the world.