I would like to stress that I am a supporter of Barisan Nasional. However, I am deeply disturbed by the recent detention of the Keadilan leaders and other activists.

Although it seems logical that BN (most probably influenced the event) would want the Keadilan leaders to be detained, it is a major show of authoritarian. I personally would not like the idea of having demonstrations on the streets but I will not compromise that with severe censorship (I mean freedom to demonstrate) by the government.

The best solution to these demonstrations is to put up a 'Free Speech Square' so that the government will not appear as a dictator. As long as any party holds its gathering in the square, it can say anything, provided its members do not march out of the area.

Detaining the leaders is not a solution. This will only cause a festering of 'unvoiced grievances'. These 'unvoiced grievances' are more destructive in this form than if they are released. If you ban something, you risk forcing those actions/products underground. Once underground, it will be totally uncontrollable and anarchy will reign, just like what happened when gambling and video arcades were forced to go underground.

Let's face it, which other country does not have demonstrations? As long as it is in a controlled environment and does not case public destruction, it is OK (hence my suggested 'Freedom of Speech Square'). If Barisan Alternatif demonstrations still cause public destruction then, it will be evident that BA is up to no good.

However, do not ban demonstrations on the grounds of protecting public property - this is a political issue, and the public are not stupid.

And putting those leaders under the ISA means that BN is imposing a total ban on any opposition (is BN going to ban all opposition parties once they become a threat to their position? Whatever happened to 'winning the people's trust'?

If BN think it can pull this off the same way it did Operasi Lalang in 1987 (detain them and then put the gag on the media and hope that the public will forget about it in one or two months), it'll be in for a rough time. A lot of people have access to alternative sources of information such as Astro ( CNN, CNBC , etc.), the Internet, and personal channels such as word-of-mouth, and even flyers.

I strongly urge the government (don't tell me it has no influence over the police - even I don't believe that!) to strongly reconsider this act. It will only cause more people to jump over to the other side. Most of all, I fear total censorship of information and action.