Malaysians in Sabah and Sarawak - human rights activists, lawyers, politicians and journalists, among others - are in unanimity that Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein is a voice from the past for his views on the Internal Security Act, which allows indefinite detention without trial.

Hishammuddin has been reported last week as saying that he “would not hesitate to fill the Kamunting Detention Centre to the brim if there are people out there who are a threat to national security”.