Anwar Ibrahim blasted the government today for instilling fear among Malaysians with the series of Internal Security Act arrests made yesterday.

“The Umno-led BN government is again using the brute force of the ISA to assault those brave and courageous Malaysians who speak out in the name of truth and integrity about the abuses of power, corruption and racism perpetuated by the ruling regime."

anwar pc on budget 2009 020908 01 “I reiterate my unequivocal opposition to the ISA and condemn the unjustified and illegal detention of blogger and social activist Raja Petra Kamaruddin, Seputeh MP and Selangor state exco Teresa Kok and Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng,” said Anwar in a statement.

He also blasted the arrests as politically motivated and said that it was carried out as an attempt to drive Malaysians against each other.

“On March 8 and again on Aug 26, the Malaysian people expressed their support at the polls for a government that is more accountable and that fulfills its mandate as representative of the people.

“The Umno-led BN government has ignored this call. Instead of pursuing a reform agenda it has chosen to burn the country to save itself and maintain its odious grip on power,” said Anwar.

Umno according to Anwar is currently playing up racial politics as an attempt to “deflect from the internal strife within the party.”

Racially motivated ISA arrests?

As laid out in the notice issued by the Special Branch police to her next of kin, Kok was arrested under the ISA for allegedly causing tension and conflict among races.

Political insiders said it was possible her arrest was also related to a report in the Utusan Malaysia newspaper, which alleged she was behind a petition to lower the sound volume for the azan at several mosques.

isa 3 teresa raja petra tan hoon cheng Kok had denied the allegations and threatened to sue the newspaper and former Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo for making the allegation.

Kok becomes the first female member of parliament to be detained.

As for the Sin Chew Daily reporter, Tan was the person that had reported Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Ahmad Ismail as calling the Chinese ‘squatters’.

Anwar also called on the government to assure Malaysians that the ISA will not be used anymore and wants the government to adhere to the nation’s constitutional values.

"As citizens of a nation that professes to adhere to the spirit of its Constitution, we refuse to live another night in fear,” he said.

“Those who have been detained under the ISA should be released immediately. We will offer every conceivable support to our friends and their families as they face this ordeal,” the opposition icon.