Ibrahim Ali: Bring back ISA to curb 'communism'
Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra) president Ibrahim Ali challenged the government to bring back the Internal Security Act (ISA) to curb...
Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra) president Ibrahim Ali challenged the government to revive the Internal Security Act (ISA) to curb the alleged spread of communist ideology in the country.
"When ISA was abolished, they (communist supporters) became bold. Under the name of the Pakatan Harapan manifesto, they worked hard to abolish Sosma. It's a different story if they want to improve Sosma, but this is to abolish," he said in a media conference in Kuala Lumpur today.
"And they (also) want the Independent Police Complaints of Misconduct Commission (IPCMC); these are pointing to the fight of the communist.
"To appreciate the sacrifice by the police and army, and taking into consideration their frustration, I invite the people, and challenge the government, to bring back ISA for the good of the country."
For the record, Ibrahim is a former ISA detainee, and imprisoned twice, in 1974 and 1987. The law allowed for detention without trial and was frequently cited as a political weapon.
Harapan, in its manifesto, promised to abolish draconian provisions in certain Acts, including Sosma (Security Offences [Special Measures] Act 2012, while the tabling of the IPCMC Bill 2019 is set to take place in March next year. The IPCMC was designed to deal with complaints against the police.
Allegations of a communist revival in Malaysia surfaced after several ceremonies were held to mark the 30th anniversary of the 1989 peace agreement between the Malaysian government and the Communist Party of Malaya.
Ibrahim said he was touched by the former inspector-general of police Hanif Omar's speech about the cops' struggle to fight the communist fighters in the old days, during a gathering held by retired police officers associations in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.
"I attended the gathering at Padang Merbok. I listened to each word expressed by Hanif Omar, and he was in tears.
"In the old days, the communist fought in the jungles, now it is as if they continue their fight in the city, not in the jungles anymore," he said.
During the gathering, Hanif said the society has forgotten about what the police had done to fight the communist in the past.
"Almost everyone has forgotten about what we have been through, we were the first fighters in the world who fully defeated the communist revolution. And we did it twice. This was (because of) our spirit," Hanif had said.
Abim should advise Dong Zong
Commenting on Dong Zong's congress to discuss about Jawi implementation in vernacular schools on Saturday, Ibrahim trained his gun on Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim).
Abim had taken a soft approach by urging all parties to address concerns regarding Jawi through dialogue instead of taking a hardline position.
"Abim should have advised Dong Zong to cancel the rally. When other NGOs planned to hold a counter-rally, Abim had instead advised to negotiate. What negotiation?
"All these while, we have been patient, (but) people disrespect, take advantage of us if we are too patient," Ibrahim said.
He questioned those who opposed the Education Ministry's decision to incorporate Jawi lessons in vernacular schools.
"Many Chinese voted for Harapan. Why do they want to question the decision by the government of the day whom they support?
"You must respect the government," he said.
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