Chong Zhemin

ISA

This was the 3-letter words I saw when I first woke up this morning.

photo taken from Screenshots

Abdullah had (finally) decided to invoke the ISA against 5 Hindraf leaders. To my UK friends that have no idea what ISA is, let me briefly explain it to you.

What is ISA?
The Internal Security Act 1960 (ISA) is a preventive detention law in force in Malaysia. Preventive detention was inherited by Malaysia as part of the colonial baggage that the British left behind.

Since 1960 when the Act was enacted, thousands of people including trade unionists, student leaders, labour activists, political activists, religious groups, academicians, NGO activists have been arrested under the ISA. Many political activists in the past have been detained for more than a decade.

The ISA has been consistently used against people who criticise the government and defend human rights. Known as the “white terror”, it has been the most feared and despised, yet convenient tool for the state to suppress opposition and open debate. The Act is an instrument maintained by the ruling government to control public life and civil society.

First 60 days

A person detained under the ISA during the first 60 days is held incommunicado, with no access to the outside world. Furthermore, lawyers and family members are not allowed access to the detainee during this initial period. If a two-year detention order is signed, the detainee is taken to the Kamunting Detention Centre to serve his or her two-year term, during which family members are allowed to visit. Otherwise, the detainee may be released.

Torture

Torture is reportedly a major part of an ISA detainee’s daily life. Former detainees have testified to being subjected to severe physical and psychological torture that include one or more of the following: physical assault, forced nudity, sleep deprivation, round-the-clock interrogation, death threats, threats of bodily harm to family members, including threats of rape and bodily harm to their children. Also, detainees are confined in individual and acutely small cells with no light and air, in what is believed to be secret holding cells. These interrogation techniques and acts of torture are designed to humiliate and frighten detainees into revealing their weaknesses and breaking down their defences.

Now you have a rough idea about what ISA is. You really think that ISA is a good act? To protect the peace and harmony in our country? save the crap please~ Read this comment from Nat Tan.

Every Malaysian, and every human being deserves their day in court. If you cannot charge them and produce evidence to prosecute them, just keep your hands off.

If they are guilty, prove it in a clean court of law, and give them whatever punishment is due. But this is kidnapping, and this is tyranny.

Don’t fall for this safeguarding national security bullshit. Not a shred of proof has been produced to demonstrate violent intent. Until there is such proof, these actions are unwarranted.

ISA and Hindraf are two separate things. We can debate Hindraf, as there is indeed a lot to debate, but the ISA must be opposed on principle, at all times - without regard to politics.

No wonder Malaysians kept Silent All These Years