Should Barisan Alternatif come into power in the next election, it would repeal the Internal Security Act (ISA) and other repressive laws, Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Ismail said today.

"We all know the ISA is a cruel and inhumane act, and a democratic country such as Malaysia should not have such a law in place. We will continue to rally the people to support the abolishment of the ISA," she told a packed lecture hall at a talk held at the Amnesty International office in London.

Five Keadilan leaders and a filmmaker-cum- malaysiakini columnist are currently serving a two-year detention under the ISA at the Kamunting camp in Perak for allegedly aiming to topple the government using 'militant' means.

Wan Azizah also paid tribute to the tireless efforts of the wives of the ISA detainees in fighting for the release of their husbands. "They have assumed a leading role in the movement and has served as an inspiration to all of us," she said.

Also speaking at the talk, Dr Mohd Hatta Md Ramli, the political secretary to opposition leader Fadzil Noor and a PAS central working committee member, noted that this round of ISA arrests was "very different" from the Ops Lalang arrests 13 years ago.

"People now are more aware of their rights, they are more willing to be involved in anti-ISA campaigns as compared with the Ops Lalang time," he said.

"We can attribute this change in part to the hard work and effort of the 10 people who were initially arrested under the ISA in April," he added, echoing Wan Azizah's promise that they would review and repeal all other repressive laws, such as the Printing Presses and Publications Act.

When asked about the recent landmark judgments in court, Hatta said Malaysians had high hopes for a change after the new Chief Justice was installed. "These landmark rulings show that the judges have been given some kind of relief to be able to do their work without fear or favour," he said, adding, "These are changes which should be viewed favourably and bodes well for the judiciary."

Letter from ISA detainee

Premesh Chandran, chief executive of malaysiakini , also spoke at the talk. He expressed concern that the government will introduce legislation to try to suppress Internet media such as malaysiakini .

"The MCA takeover of Nanyang has already signalled a challenge to the last few independent press in Malaysia. We are concerned that the government will try to control the Internet as well," he said, noting that it is actually "very difficult" to censor the Internet.

When asked about malaysiakini 's response to the threats of control by the government, Premesh said the online daily will continue to do its duty.

"We will not give up,' he said, adding there is a need to defend free press and democratic space from all quarters in society.

The chairperson had earlier read out a letter from an ISA detainee, Tian Chua, to the people in the UK. Chua urged the people to join the struggle. "Your solidarity is important to help us make a smooth transition to a new era of humanity. Your support gives us hope and encouragement," he wrote.

The talk, organised by the UK chapter of the Abolish ISA Movement (AIM-UK), attracted about 85 people. AIM-UK was formed in London in May, and organises activities to raise awareness about the use of the ISA and other repressive laws.

Wan Azizah also spoke about the condition of her husband, former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, and expressed her concern that it is getting worse every day, stressing that he desperately needs to have an operation.

Anwar had earlier chosen to undergo his operation in Munich, Germany, but his request was turned down by the government.