The decision by the new Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to revoke the temporary ban on two party organs - PAS’ Harakah and PKR’s Suara Keadilan - has been described by an opposition leader as a sign that would lead to a much healthier democracy.

walkout suhakam 120606 salahuddin ayob PAS Youth chief Sallahuddin Ayob viewed the revocation as natural and expected of Najib in the name of democracy.

“If the prime minister wishes to fertilise the spirit of democracy which is what might have happened (when he decided to announce the revocation), it would be in his best interest that Harakah and Suara Keadilan be given the permit to publish daily,” he told Bernama yesterday.

Najib in his first official address to the nation via live telecast as the country’s sixth prime minister last night announced the revocation of the temporary ban on the two party newsletters.

Although Najib did not mention the names of the party newsletters specifically, it is not a secret as to which party organs have had their publications temporarily banned.

suara keadilan and harakah suspended Both Suara Keadilan and Harakah were served the ban with immediate effect on March 23.

Salahuddin commended Najib’s decision as a move that could elevate the country’s ranking in the global democracy chart.

Najib in his address also announced his intentions of reviewing the Internal Security Act (ISA) as well as releasing 13 detainees including two leaders from the banned Hindu Rights Action Force, or better known as Hindraf.

Commenting on the matter, Salahuddin expressed hope that this would set the beginning of the end for the ISA.

PKR not impressed with ISA release

“The release of the detainees is the beginning of the end for the ISA. Existing laws are sufficient enough to ensure that national security would not be compromised,” he said.

syed husin book launch 091108 syed husin Meanwhile, PKR deputy president Syed Husin Ali said the party also welcomes Najib’s decision to revoke the ban and to release the 13 ISA detainees.

"This (revocation) is the result of the pressure placed on the government by the people. From the beginning itself, there is no reason for the government to ban the publications as well as detaining these people under the ISA,” he said in a statement issued yesterday.

However, Syed Husin - who himself is a former ISA detainee - said the announcement made by Najib would not be taken seriously as it is made amidst the ongoing campaigning period of the three by-elections.

He then said it is imperative for Najib to avoid reinforcing this perception by taking further actions like:

1) Not detaining any more people under the ISA and no more ban or declaring illegal any party publications without any concrete reasons in the future;

2) The unconditional release of all ISA detainees; and,

3) Abolidh ISA and the Printing Presses and Publications Act which is deemed as unjust.

"We must remember, when Mahathir Mohamad became the prime minister, he too had release some ISA detainees and promised freedom of the media.

"But all these were forgotten and he took the path to lead the country with cruelty. Najib must promise that he does not follow the path of his predecessor,” stressed Syed Husin, who was among those released by Mahathir after being held for six years in the 70s.