The release of Seputeh parliamentarian Teresa Kok from the grip of the draconian Internal Security Act (ISA) after a one-week detention has drawn diverse elated responses from various parties.

Kok, who is also a Selangor state senior executive council member, was arrested outside her condominium on the night of Sept 12, allegedly for causing religious and racial disharmony.

Following are some reactions applauding her release, from both government and opposition parties.

Mah Siew Keong, Gerakan Youth chief

Gerakan Youth welcomes the release of Teresa Kok from ISA. The ISA should only be used against those who truly pose a threat to national security, such as terrorists.

If someone (has) done something wrong, then we have existing laws like the Sedition Act, Defamation Act or the Penal Code with which to take action.

mah siew keong The power provided by the ISA is too wide and can be abused. Take for example, the reporter, Tan Hoon Cheng, who was only carrying out her duties in reporting a racist remark but was detained under the ISA.

Gerakan youth urges the government to repeal the ISA. The government should take note of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) report which recommends that the ISA be replaced with specific legislation against terrorism, organised violence and threats to national security.

The ISA is unjust and harsh and is no longer acceptable in a modern, democratic Malaysia. It should not be used against any politicians, whichever party they are from.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP national deputy chairperson and Kepong MP

While believing that the government is right to release Teresa Kok today, I insist that the government rescinds the Internal Security Act.

Release all who are detained under the ISA. If they are violent, extreme and terroristic, use other laws to deal with them.

tan seng giaw 120507 Today, MP for Seputeh Teresa Kok has been released. This is correct. But, it is not enough. The government must stop misusing ISA to detain people who do not engage in violence, extremism and terrorism.

We have repeatedly stressed that if the government has evidence that any person is involved in violence, extremist and terrorist activities, the government should charge him or her in court. It should promulgate an anti-extremist and anti-terrorist act that would protect the country.

For 42 years, DAP has been against the abuse of ISA against Malaysians. It continues to do so. We believe in a peaceful constitutional struggle.

P Ramakrishnan, Aliran president

Aliran applauds the release of Teresa Kok from an unjust and undemocratic detention under the obnoxious ISA.

Nevertheless, we must record our strong objection against her arrest under the ISA last Friday, Sept 12, because she was unfairly subjected to this detention that she did not deserve, in the first place.

When there was no just cause for her detention, when there was not a shred of evidence to justify this wile action against her, yet the authorities acted rather arbitrarily without any conscience or shame.

Now that Tan Hoon Cheng and Teresa have been released we can say, "Two down, one more to go!" Indeed, the last remaining detainee under the recent ISA detention exercise, Raja Petra Kamaruddin, must also be released immediately. After all, he has already been charged for defamation and sedition.

Let the courts take care of him and resolve the issues following "a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him" as is demanded by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Ramon Navaratnam, Transparency International Malaysia president

The release of Teresa Kok today, is an expression of better accountability on the part of the government.

ramon navaratnam This would strengthen transparency and good governance in our country.

Likewise, Transparency International urges the government to free Raja Petra and all other ISA detainees, in the interest of more national transparency, integrity and progress.

Dr Koh Tsu Koon, Gerakan acting president

Gerakan welcomes the release of Seputeh MP Teresa Kok from ISA and reiterates our call for the release of well-known blogger, Raja Petra Kamaruddin.

No doubt, it can be said, by previous ISA "standards," her detention of less than seven days was comparatively short, the shortest being that of Tan Hoon Cheng for less than one day. But such detention, however short, still infringes on human rights and freedom.

koh tsu koon not smiling The time has really come for the ISA to be substantially amended, if not completely repealed, to prevent what is now widely perceived as misuse and even abuse.

What is even more important is that, rather than resorting to detention, we should take steps to effectively implement various real reforms to address the root causes of dissatisfaction and dissent.

Charles Santiago, Klang MP

I welcome the release of my close friend and DAP parliamentarian and Selangor state executive councilor Teresa Kok, which comes in the wake of international and local condemnation, widespread media coverage and public outrage.

The Malaysian police force must explain the reasons for Kok's arrest under the draconian Internal Security Act which allows for detention without trial. The flip-flop answers given by Home Minster Syed Hamid Albar concerning the order for her arrest raises questions relating to the abuse of power by the government and police.

charles santiago I reiterate my stand against the use of the ISA as it violates the principles of natural justice and denies people a chance to defend themselves in an open court. It is also a fundamental infringement of democratic rights.

I urge the government to release blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin, the Hindraf five and others who are currently being held under the ISA and earnestly persuade the prime minister not to invoke preventive laws to quell legitimate political activity and the freedom of speech in Malaysia.