Two Malaysian opposition parties claimed that the issues of terrorism have been used as an excuse by the Malaysian government to impose 'repressive' laws against its opponents at an international platform in Bangkok today.

At the plenary session of the second International Conference of Political Parties in Asia, Keadilan and PRM said that while they recognised the need for security, the Malaysian government must strive for more democractic space and reforms.

In her speech on the second day of the three-day conference, Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said though it is the legitimate right of every citizen to live in security, she disagreed with those who say that citizens must give up their democratic rights in order to have security.

"We believe that security and freedom thrive on each other. No security can be sustainable if citizens are denied their human rights and fundamental liberties," she said, at the meeting attended by 72 parties within and outside government from 29 countries.

"A life of security must include freedom from arbitrary arrest, the right to a fair trial by independent judges, the freedom to associate, the freedom to assemble, the right to speak and publish without fear and the right to participate in government," she added.

Invited by Thai Rak Thai

Wan Azizah, who is Permatang Pauh member of Parliament, made the comment in reference to several of the party activists who are faced with court cases for organising or participating in peaceful assemblies and those currently detained under the Internal Security Act, a law that provides detention without trial.

The two parties have been invited by Thailand's Thai Rak Thai party to promote the spirit and process of discourse among political parties of diverse shades and orientations, from the government and opposition in Asia.

Among those present at the meet are Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, president of Cambodia's National Assembly Party, Prince Norodom Ranariddh, Philippines speaker of the House of Representatives Jose de Venecia, Pakistan People's Party president and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and Awami League Party president and former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

During the session, Azizah also read out a letter from her husband, jailed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim, who is currently serving a 15-year jail sentence.

In the letter, Anwar said that terrorism is a disease that can be cured only by addressing the roots of hatred and fanaticism.

The responsibility, he said, falls on the civil society, where religious groups of all persuasions, political parties of every leaning, social organisations, activist groups and concerned individuals must jointly resolve to struggle for justice, harmony and peace "for terrorism cannot thrive in such an environment".

"Indeed, social, economic and political justice spells death for terrorism", Anwar added in his letter.

Without fear or favour

PRM president Dr Syed Husin Ali, who also presented a speech at the conference, said that terrorism must be fought without fear or favour.

"State terrorism should be condemned like civilian terrorism too. Sanctions should be imposed fairly and justly against all leaders and countries that stockpile weapons of mass destruction," he said.

"The slide towards authoritarianism using draconian laws must be checked and power must return to the people," he added.

Syed Husin said that many problems facing Asia could be overcome by building democracy and initiating reforms.