Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today slammed those who are taking credit for the government's decision to abolish the Internal Security Act, announced Thursday.

Speaking at Shah Alam today, Najib said the credit should go to the BN government for listening to the people.

"Don't anyone try to claim credit, saying that my announcement (on the ISA) is due to their efforts.

Sirih Pulang ke Gagang najib event big "It is not due to their struggle but a decision made by BN after listening to the desires of the rakyat," he said.

Pakatan Rakyat and human rights organisations have claimed the move to abolish the ISA came after years of pressure from civil society and the pledges in Pakatan's Buku Jingga (Orange Book).

Najib was speaking at an event called ‘Sirih Pulang ke Gagang’ (A Return to the Fold) where he received about 7,000 BN associate member application forms said to be from Pakatan Rakyat supporters from Selangor.

Najib also explained that the decision to end the ISA was in line with his wish to review the legislation when taking over as prime minister two years ago.

He said the change would put Malaysia on a solid track towards becoming a more progressive democracy.

"We wish to see a balance between openness and individual rights while at the same time preserving peace and harmony," he said.

"We will also build a nation that looks after both the interests of the

public and the individual because Malaysian society now is a knowledge society which demands renewal to assure the people's future as well as civil liberties." 

BN 'recovers' trust and confidence

The premier was presented with the forms by individuals claiming to be from Pakatan divisions in Sri Muda, Shah Alam, Bukit Kemuning, Klang, Puchong, Kinrara, Bukit Jalil, Ijok and Petaling Jaya.

Sirih Pulang ke Gagang najib event "I thank you for resolving and pledging to support BN... (The move) reflects BN government has managed to recover trust and confidence since the 2008 general election," Najib said.

The premier, who addressed the 1,000 mostly-Indian participants at Universti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), was at the event lauded as a "warrior", "champion of unity" and "the best leader in the nation's history".

He had entered the hall to a standing ovation and chants of "Najib, Najib, Najib" led by the emcee.

Meanwhile, Bernama reported Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein accusing the opposition of running out of ideas for claiming that the announcement to abolish the ISA was stolen from its 'Orange Book' published in December 2010.

In the Orange Book, the opposition had pledged that ending the ISA would be one of the things it would do within 100 days if it came into power after the next general election.

Hishammuddin said the review of ISA was announced by Najib one year earlier than the pledges made in the Orange Book.   

"The prime minister announced the ISA study two years ago and it has since been done comprehensively," he told reporters after attending a briefing session for BN supporters in Seremban.

'Najib only has himself to blame'

Petaling Jaya Utara parliamentarian from DAP, Tony Pua has lambasted the PM of stealing the idea of abolishing ISA from the Orange Book.

"Najib lifted everything from our Buku Jingga. Every single thing," he said.

ops scorpene dinner 220711 kit siang DAP leader Lim Kit Siang has joined the verbal fray, saying that BN leaders “would require enormous capacity of self-deception to believe such tall tales”.

"In fact, if the repeal of the ISA and the removal of other draconian laws in the country had been actively and seriously reviewed and pursued in the highest government and political circles since Najib became PM in April 2009, the arrogant, ham-fisted, high-handed and mindless repression and clampdown on the Bersih 2.0 campaign such as the unjustified PSM arrests under Emergency Ordinance, ridiculous arrests for wearing Berish 2.0 T-shirts or just wearing yellow, would not have taken place.

"Najib has only himself to blame for the skepticism and cynicism about his sincerity, commitment and steadfastness to democratic, electoral and legal reforms because of his own record as PM.”