Mahathir defends ISA again in Washington
Dr Mahathir Mohamad has again defended the Internal Security Act which allows for detention without trial by claiming that its use against several opposition leaders did not represent the government's intention to cripple political opposition in Malaysia.
According to a Washington Post report yesterday, Mahathir dismissed allegations that he was exploiting the ISA to jail his political opponents, some of whom he described as "non-entities".
The prime minister, on an official visit to Washington to meet with President George W Bush and senior members of his administration, was quoted as saying, "If we wanted to really paralyse the opposition, we would have to arrest their leaders, not some of these people who are minor 'lights' in their own party...they say things that stir people up, so we have to take action against them."
Although the report did not specify the names of the opposition members referred to by Mahathir, the US government had on several occasions expressed their concern over the detention of five Keadilan leaders.
The five are party vice-president Tian Chua, Youth chief Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor, supreme council member Saari Sungib, branch leader Dr Badrulamin Bahron and Youth leader Lokman Nor Adam.
According to the Post , Mahathir said that the American perception of human rights is at times "quite wrong" as it focuses on the rights of the individual and minorities, rather than the collective safety of the community.
"We believe that human rights should also apply to the majority who should have its rights protected. When people demonstrate and go to the streets, they deprive the majority from earning a living," he said.
Necessary legislation
Mahathir also reportedly said that the ISA is a necessary legislation to deal with situations as other laws are insufficient to allow the government to act against potential threats.
"There are certain things that we can deal with by following the rules. But at times we find the rules restrict you from doing the right things. On such occasions, we have to rethink — either you change the rules or break the rules," Mahathir was quoted as saying with reference to the detention of several suspected terrorists under the ISA.
In his speech to the US Congress yesterday, Mahathir said that foisting democracy onto countries ill-prepared for its associated freedoms could also be detrimental to the country's stability.
"Sudden change even if it is for the good is disruptive. Democracy for people who are not used to it can undermine stability resulting in war," Mahathir was quoted as saying in a BBC report.
He added that Malaysia is still "unable to accept" the absolute freedom that Western democracies believe in.
"One day perhaps we will be comfortable with your values, but for the moment, we are not comfortable," he added.
Mahathir was invited to meet with Bush following the latter's approval of steps taken in Malaysia to arrest some 40 individuals said to be linked to Islamic militant groups.
During his meeting with Mahathir, Bush praised the prime minister for his support of the US-led anti-terrorism campaign, marking an end to the strained relations between the two countries since the jailing of former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim in 1999.
However, Bush maintained the US position on Anwar, saying that his incarceration was politically motivated and that he should be released.
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