Press Statement by Wanita MCA chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei calling for the ISA to be amended and renamed to Anti-Terrorism Act
Wanita MCA, led by its chief, Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun today extended the wing’s full support to YAB Dato’ Sri Najib bin Tun Razak who assumed office as the sixth Prime Minister yesterday, for his decision to release 13 ISA detainees and to conduct a comprehensive review of the ISA.
Mei Fun reminded that “in view of the threat of national instability and loss of lives committed by terrorists worldwide, the ISA is still relevant. However, it should not be used flagrantly against civil liberties or civilians.”
“In the proposal to amend the ISA, Wanita MCA holds firmly to the principles that it should be enforced only against individuals or groups involved with terrorist or subversive activities. Secondly, in protecting with human rights, before the authorities impose any preventive laws, they must fulfill very stringent conditions to prevent misuse. Moreover, detainees arrested and held under such preventive laws must have the right to judicial review which is presently not provided in the existing ISA.”
“In this regard, Wanita MCA hereby proposes that the Internal Security Act be amended and renamed as Anti Terrorist Act indicating that its functions are strictly only to curb terrorist activities, and that it may not be abused against civilians,” added the Wanita MCA chief.
“As long as government listens to the people, places strong emphasis on democracy and human rights, pumps up the weakening economy where implementation of any public policy which benefits all layers of society and removes all forms of discriminatory barriers, confidence with Barisan Nasional will definitely be assured. BN must never lose sight of the concerns of the rakyat and act according to the wishes of the rakyat.”
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