Deputy prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi seems to have very limited imagination (though some would argue the opposite to be the case) with regard to the use of the Internal Security Act 1960.

It's bad enough that this law that allows for indefinite detention without trial has been used to detain, without warrant or proof, individuals suspected of threatening 'national security' ; it now appears that even with evidence, the government would still use the ISA.

For according to The Star yesterday, Abdullah said : "it is appropriate that the ISA (be) used" on rice smugglers "if there is proof and connection with economic sabotage."

On the same day, Abdullah explained that Noralwizah Lee Abdullah, the wife of suspected terrorist Hambali, was detained under the ISA "to provide us with useful information on his activities" - never mind the rights and liberty of the detainee herself who is not a security threat suspect.

These are yet more cases of the ISA being misused to the point of disbelief. It appears that our future prime minister has not noted down any of the strident objections to the ISA, or he would not have acted in such an indiscriminate and thoughtless manner, inspiring little confidence in his leadership.

And a happy Merdeka to all.