Malaysia to repeal tough security law
Posted: 15 September 2011 2119 hrs <LINK href="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/imagegallery/store/php6sNcjx.jpg" rel=image_src>
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KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will repeal a controversial 51-year-old law allowing detention without trial and ease other legislation blamed for curbing civil liberties, Prime Minister Najib Razak said in his special Malaysia Day message on Thursday.
Bowing to a key opposition demand as speculation over snap polls mounts, Najib said the abolition of the Internal Security Act and other changes were aimed at ensuring "a modern, mature and functioning democracy".
The ISA has long been a hot-button issue in Muslim-majority Malaysia. Critics say it is abused by the long-ruling government of Najib's party, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), to silence dissent.
PM Najib also said taht the two new laws would be formulated to prevent subversive elements as well as fighting organised terrorism and crime, in order to safeguard peace and public order.
The ISA allows an individual to be held virtually indefinitely for acts considered a threat to national security or to prevent such acts.
Thousands of people have been detained under the ISA over the past five decades, typically those suspected of Islamic militancy and government critics.
Malaysia has been ruled since its 1957 independence by a coalition dominated by UMNO, a continuity that has made it one of Southeast Asia's most stable and economically vibrant countries.
But government critics say this has come at the expense of civil liberties.
- AFP/Bernama/cc/ls
Posted: 15 September 2011 2119 hrs <LINK href="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/imagegallery/store/php6sNcjx.jpg" rel=image_src>
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PM Najib Razak | ||||||
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KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will repeal a controversial 51-year-old law allowing detention without trial and ease other legislation blamed for curbing civil liberties, Prime Minister Najib Razak said in his special Malaysia Day message on Thursday.
Bowing to a key opposition demand as speculation over snap polls mounts, Najib said the abolition of the Internal Security Act and other changes were aimed at ensuring "a modern, mature and functioning democracy".
The ISA has long been a hot-button issue in Muslim-majority Malaysia. Critics say it is abused by the long-ruling government of Najib's party, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), to silence dissent.
PM Najib also said taht the two new laws would be formulated to prevent subversive elements as well as fighting organised terrorism and crime, in order to safeguard peace and public order.
The ISA allows an individual to be held virtually indefinitely for acts considered a threat to national security or to prevent such acts.
Thousands of people have been detained under the ISA over the past five decades, typically those suspected of Islamic militancy and government critics.
Malaysia has been ruled since its 1957 independence by a coalition dominated by UMNO, a continuity that has made it one of Southeast Asia's most stable and economically vibrant countries.
But government critics say this has come at the expense of civil liberties.
- AFP/Bernama/cc/ls
Its interesting to wait and see what new laws they will implement to replace the ISA..
