Former minister Mohd Zaid Ibrahim today apologised to Najib Abdul Razak because he had thought the prime minister incapable of doing “something big” like repealing the Internal Security Act (ISA).

When he heard Najib over TV last night announcing the repeal of ISA and other legislation seen as restricting freedom, Zaid said that he had been wrong about the man.

“I did not believe Najib had the courage to do something big. Today, I apologise to the prime Minister because he had done something meaningful and big in repealing the ISA,” he told reporters at his residence in Kota Baru.

Zaid, who is president of Kita, was sacked from Umno in 2008 for attending opposition events. He had said that the ISA should only be used against communist subversion and terrorism.

Zaid said the changes the Najib announced would give a new lease of life to democracy in the country.

PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat welcomed the repeal of the ISA, saying it was long overdue.

Nik Abdul Aziz, who is Kelantan Menteri Besar, said: “It (the repeal) is in tune with what we (the opposition) want because the ISA is against the teachings of Islam and contradicts basic human rights.”

“We have judges and lawyers. There is no need for the ISA,” he told reporters after attending Malaysia Day celebrations at the Machang District Council field.

- Bernama