I refer to the letter written by Ahmad Shafiq entitled [#1] ISA is justified and effective, too [/#] (April 13). Yes, maybe there are more members in a party that has been around for more than 50 years old than in Keadilan which is still in its infancy. But, I believe those Umno members are actually members in name only and not in spirit. After all, how many (in percentage) would turn up in any of the party's official or unofficial functions 'voluntarily' without having to be bribed with perks, gifts, free food and entertainment?

As for the use of ISA, since the day Anwar was sacked from Umno and the government, did the writer not have sleep soundly, send his children to school safely, go out to have teh tarik at 2am, despite (his claim) that "there are militants out there who are trying to threaten the peace of our nation"?

Was the writer expecting or even praying for these seven people to be held by the police, let alone under the ISA, the very night before their arrest? His comment that the ISA is justified and effective was just a knee-jerk reaction to justify the unjustifiable.

If it is true that ISA should be used against the 'Magnificent Seven' (as I like to call them) because they belong to a militant group, then why is the ISA not being used against the Al-Ma'unah? They have been charged with planning to wage war against the country as well as theft of military arms and murders of two people, and some of them are also ex-service personnel. Why were they not swooped up under ISA?

Could someone please ask the Inspector-General of Police this on my behalf as well as that of fellow Malaysians?