How to blog and not be detained under ISA
Everyone by now would know what ISA is. Only thing is when can ISA be used? National security. What is national security? UMNO’s survival, clearly. The arbitrary and selective arrests of media, blogger and MP is incontrovertible proof that the people that currently run this nation are bankrupt of not only decent intellectual ability but moral fibre as well. Where is that special gift that God gave to all of us – conscience? It seems that in the haze and panic of the impending takeover, the incumbent powers that be have lost all control of their normal faculties.
A reminder of Sect 73(1) ISA -
Section 73(1) Internal Security Act 1960: “Any police officer may without warrant arrest and detain pending enquiries any person in respect of whom he has reason to believe that there are grounds which would justify his detention under section 8; and that he has acted or is about to act or is likely to act in any manner prejudicial to the security of Malaysia or any part thereof or to maintenance of essential services therein or to the economic life thereof.“
I have highlighted in bold the ones that clearly have been taken advantage of by the powers that be - by adding essential services and economic life into the list of reasons that one can be detained under the ISA, clearly the intent of the provision is to be a “CATCH-ALL” provision.
But that happened even in developed nations like the UK etc too. So, why are we getting all hung-up about this?
National or security interests always equate the security of the government of the day. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see this.
So, we all learn a lesson today. That in order to prevent such abuses in future, the next Government of Malaysia should repeal/abolish/delete the ISA. It’s as simple as that. There is no half measure like “ISA is good but only for terrorists and not for civilians.” That inevitably leads to the slippery slope of where we draw the line.
Are Theresa Kok and RPK prejudicial to the economic life of Malaysia? Clearly yes (according to the powers that be).The way the provision is drafted, you can attribute all the bad things happening in the country to any vocal Malaysian not on your side.
Malaysia now faces the double whammy of political and economic uncertainties, in no small part contributed by these 2 unwitting heroes of the people. Yes, martyrdom has its rewards - and price.
Heroics aside, I personally am of the view that I am better off outside of prison than inside. Hence, here are tips to stay outside of prison even while you blog your emotions off to the whole world:
1. Criticize the Opposition a bit eg. why has there not been any punishment for Zulkifly yet, the firebrand PKR MP who led the storming of the Bar Council forum on Conversion to Islam - please note that the forum does not challenge Islam - more like a discussion of the challenges faced by families of those non-Malays who converted to Islam.
2. Try to be more objective. I know it’s not easy. I face the same problem. I would love to bring down UMNO with my sword - the written word - but I keep my emotions in check when I write. I am sure there are still decent souls in UMNO. I am almost 100% sure that even within Najib’s family (including in-laws), there are those who disagree with him. What does the CEO of CIMB think - after all Nazir Razak is Najib’s brother. Should we all then boycott CIMB? Najib is a graduate of Nottingham University in England. Nazir is a graduate of Bristol University and later Oxbridge. Surely, there must be more sense in them????
3. MIndset changes take time. Cultivate some patience for other races. I used to know a Malay girl - smart and wear the “tudung”. But totally into Islam. Everyone morning at work, she will read the Quran on her PC. We used to have discussions about the Quran. She has her reasons and she says she has peace from what she believes. I respect that. Call it a devious psycological play on minds, but she is still a human being, a person who has convictions for her strong beliefs in Islam.
I learnt tolerance for other religions from her as well as from many others from other religions. There are always the exremists within each religion. If we profess a certain religion or are atheists, we should always strive to extend tolerance to other religions too. In time, everyone will see the LIght - and the Truth shall set us free. If you feel a great urge to practise extreme speech or behaviour, then let it be “Extreme Tolerance”. One can never get enough of that.
4. Maintain your sense of humour. What if I were to tell you that one day, if Anwar were to become PM, he might advocate that PKR and UMNO merge. Nothing is impossible in politics. Remember that Anwar has risen to the top (almost) of UMNO, meaning simply that he is too well-versed in UMNO politics. He indeed has the advantage and will definitely make use of it.
Have I said it all - the theme of my message - TOLERANCE - Only tolerance can breed patience and Patience will lead us to LOVE those who oppose us and hence they will be CHANGED. Eventually. In good time, things will change. For the better.
September 18th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Great post. As simple as it can get.
Thx
Monica