Former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim launched a nationwide campaign against the Internal Security Act (ISA), which allows the authorities to detain individuals indefinitely without trial.

At the launch of Saturday's 'Get rid of ISA from Malaysia' campaign, Anwar dismissed the security law as 'repressive, draconian and a colonial legacy'.

Malaysia does not need a law such as this, he told the more than 600 people who attended the event.

"The ISA is now meant to protect those who are in power and corrupt," he said, adding that the authorities should use more "sophisticated" laws to safeguard national security.

Anwar, who himself was detained twice under the law, urged the authorities to charge ISA detainees in an open court or release them.

"If they have ample evidence, due process must be done, charge them in court," he said.

He also criticised the authorities for relying on the recommendations of police special branch officers when deciding on whether to invoke the ISA or not.

He claimed that the intelligence apparatus has failed to carry out its task properly and advised it to focus on the real problem of national security.

"They (the special branch) have spent all their time monitoring us...," he quipped.

Anwar also took the authorities to task for using the ISA to intimidate the public from speaking up against the government.

Nationwide road-shows

The launching was attended by about 30 former ISA detainees and the families of some 70 current detainees.

Ex-detainees Said Zahari, who was held under the law for 17 years, and Lim Yoon Pang, detained eight years, also shared their experiences with the audience.

Other former ISA present were Dr Syed Husin Ali, Dr Nasir Hashim, Koh Swee Yong, Mahfuz Omar, Tian Chua, Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor and Hishamuddin Rais.

Organising committee chairperson Saari Sungib, also a former ISA detainee, said there will be a nationwide road-show to pressure the government to abolish the security law.

The ISA was enacted by the British to battle the Communist insurgency during the 1950s. However, after independence, the law earned notoriety when it was used to crackdown on political dissent.

Despite the widespread criticism, the government insists that the law is vital, especially now, in order to combat terrorism.

There are currently more than 100 detainees, including about 60 alleged Islamic militants, held under the ISA at the Kamunting camp in Perak.