Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA (GMI), a coalition of 83 non-governmental organisations, held a public educational exercise on the Internal Security Act in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.

They gathered at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) to distribute ISA leaflets to the public in an effort to better inform them about the draconian act. The group brought 400 copies of the leaflet for distribution.

Norlaila Othman, a committee member of GMI, said that although more ISA detainees were seen to be released, more people were still detained and more arrests were being made under the act.

"Twenty six detainees were released last year and we are hoping that the government will be releasing more but they did not and were detaining more people instead," Norlaila told malaysiakini at the event.

Norlaila, also the wife of a ISA detainee, pointed out that as long as the draconian ISA still exists, there will be more arrests.

On the location chosen for the event, another GMI committee member Latheefa Koya said they wanted to grab the opportunity to reach the public at the on-going 'Expose War Crimes - Criminalise War' exhibition at the PWTC.

She asserted that since former PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad was promoting the idea of criminalized war, GMI took the chance to show evidence that Malaysia was also part of the 'problem'.

"US has Guantanamo, we have Kamunting. So what is the difference?," she reasoned.

Aliza Jaafar ( right ), also of GMI, said that for detainees not to know when they would be released was a great mental torture they have to endure.

Contrary views too

She added that the only way to stop further arrests under the ISA was to have the act abolished.

"For this to happen, we need the political will of the government and the resolve of the people to want to get rid of it," Aliza said.

Meanwhile, in a random survey among the public present at the event, there were mixed reactions.

"Having this kind of act is unfair because arrests can be made without warrant and reason. This is an unhealthy exercise in a democratic country,"said Mohd Shafuan, a 16-year-old secondary student.

"ISA should be abolished to create a better and safe environment for Malaysians," opined Kevin Guee, a university student from Multimedia University (MMU)

However, there were some voices to the contrary.

"ISA should not be abolished. We need it to protect our nation. Now, we know there are people out there with terrorist thinking and such elements can pose a danger to our country," said a 40-year-old housewife who declined to be named.

A 34-year-old media consultant added, "For me, having the ISA is a preventive measure. It's a way to stop people who threaten our national security."

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