KUCHING: The announcement on the abolition of the Internal Security Act 1960 (ISA) by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak last night received mixed reactions from local law makers from both sides of the political divide and a human rights activist.
Chairman of the state BN Backbenchers’ Club and the chief political secretary to the chief minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said he was unsure whether the abolishment of the restrictive law was a right move or not.
“For a multi-ethnic and multi religious country like Malaysia, we surely need restrictive laws like the ISA but what is important is that the usage of these laws must be purely against those who pose security threat to the nation and not against political opponents,” Abdul Karim told The Borneo Post here last night.
PKR Sarawak chief Baru Bian said the prime minister was taking a big gamble by abolishing the restrictive laws.
“We welcomed the announcement as it was really high time, such draconian laws should have been abolished long time ago as our country has achieved its independence for almost 50 years,” he said.
Baru who is also the Ba Kelalan assemblyman also stressed that there were still laws such as those under police custody where abuse could still take place.
“So we have to wait and see the outcome of the announcement,” he said.
Chairman of the state BN Backbenchers’ Club and the chief political secretary to the chief minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said he was unsure whether the abolishment of the restrictive law was a right move or not.
“For a multi-ethnic and multi religious country like Malaysia, we surely need restrictive laws like the ISA but what is important is that the usage of these laws must be purely against those who pose security threat to the nation and not against political opponents,” Abdul Karim told The Borneo Post here last night.
PKR Sarawak chief Baru Bian said the prime minister was taking a big gamble by abolishing the restrictive laws.
“We welcomed the announcement as it was really high time, such draconian laws should have been abolished long time ago as our country has achieved its independence for almost 50 years,” he said.
Baru who is also the Ba Kelalan assemblyman also stressed that there were still laws such as those under police custody where abuse could still take place.
“So we have to wait and see the outcome of the announcement,” he said.
