Even after the change of leadership from Dr Mahathir Mohamad to Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the country's security laws are still being used to silence dissent, said an ex-detainee under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

Activist Saari Sungib said the authorities continue to justify the use of the ISA, and also claimed that police brutality has not been curbed.

"Mahathir and Abdullah are the same in terms of policies. There's no change in human rights abuse, in particular the use of the ISA. There's still no tolerance to dissent," he told malaysiakini on the sidelines of the launch of the Amnesty International Report 2007 in Petaling Jaya today.

"Under Mahathir, there seemed to be a stronger, singular leadership. Everything seemed to centre around Mahathir.

"But now, with a slightly weaker leadership of Abdullah, a lot of the decision-making has floated down (the ranks). You can see the workings of the whole system. The failings are exposed."

Saari, who is PAS Gombak infromation chief, said the government has no interest in a more open society.

"There is still a climate of fear. Fear is something created by people in power to ensure continuation of power.

"In the past, it was terrorism. Now fear is instilled in everything, whether the issue is political, migration, the economy and even moving people from certain areas, like squatter eviction cases."

Saari pinned the blame on the US for creating a 'climate of fear'.

"There are little checks and balances as a result of the unipolar political power (of the US). Everything is aligned to US interests. Everyone tends to toe the American line.

"The American interest is protected through our oil and gas industries. We condemn the junta in Burma but we are partners to American interests in petroleum in the country, through Petronas."

Saari was pessimistic about change any time soon: "I believe there is no political will to change towards a more transparent government. Of the 17 United Nations conventions, we have so far only ratified two. We are far behind."

Where's watchdog body?

The AI report said the government has yet to fulfil reforms recommended by the Royal Commission on the Police Force in 2005. This includes setting up the proposed watchdog body.

"Freedom of expression, association and assembly continued to be constrained by restrictive laws. Refugees, asylum-seekers and migrant workers remained vulnerable to arrest, detention in poor conditions and deportation under the Immigration Act," reads the report.

"Hundreds of people, mostly allegedly irregular migrants, were imprisoned or caned after unfair trials."

The report also noted that there was continued "excessive use of force by police officers during peaceful demonstrations".

"In March and May (2006) police armed with shields violently dispersed a series of peaceful protests in Kuala Lumpur against fuel prices, with batons and water cannon," the report said.

It also noted that at least 80 men accused of links with Muslim extremist groups are being detained under the ISA and a further 700 criminal suspects under the Emergency Ordinance.