'Umno and Najib only move when it faces the likelihood of defeat at the ballot box. This is what is happening here.'
Kit P: There are many reasons I do not support the BN government. One of the most important ones was its insistence on arrogating to itself the power to lock up citizens on their say-so, without the right to any trial, let alone a fair trial.
So the repeal of the ISA is something I certainly look forward to. However, this just convinces me more than ever, that the rakyat must continue to exert electoral pressure on Umno/BN. Umno and PM Najib Razak only move when it faces the likelihood of defeat at the ballot box. This is what is happening here.
On the lighter side, I'm laughing away at the Umno eunuchs who are praising Najib to the roof over this move. These are the same people who loudly supported the government line, right until yesterday, that the ISA was vital to safeguard the security of the country.
So what has changed?
Onyourtoes: Dear PM, I am sure you have not come up with these ‘reforms' out of the blue. Surely you have given some time to think over and consider all the relevant factors.
If that is the case, how then could your home minister and police arrest the PSM 6 under Emergency Ordinance while these draconian laws and the emergency declarations were been reviewed.
We can judge the sincerity of your government quite easily. You and the hawks within your administration played tough and when you could no longer handle the situation, you relented to buy time and goodwill.
I have made enough observations to come to this conclusion. You were tough with the Bersih 2.0 rally, and when you saw the tide of people turned against you, you said the stadium was offered.
You acted tough against the PSM 6 trying to intimidate the people into submission. But you saw the people are no longer afraid. So you announced all these ‘reforms' thinking the clamour for change will be somewhat truncated.
In fact, I have long suspected that the government has preferred not to use the ISA to intimidate the opponents. Instead, specific criminal laws, assisted by submissive civil service, were used to charged and convict opponents to put them out of action.
Lion King: Just by repealing the laws alone is not enough. Eradicate corruption, racism and favourism. These are the things killing our nation in the long run.
Re-introduce separation of powers among the Parliament, judiciary and executive. Then we salute you. Until then, there is no true democracy, only lip service to it.
Anak JB: Well done Najib! A good step in the right direction to form a more civil society.
Aquinas Says: This is a historic day for Malaysia. Our prayers have been answered. It is the beginning of something new. Let's continue to insist on further reforms for the betterment of our nation.
Lexicon: We welcome the repeal of the ISA. Not everything the BN does ought to be condemned blindly. But we must reserve judgment until we see the two laws replacing the ISA.
Also the spirit of the rule of law must be restored by a change of government and a spell for BN in the opposition. Sound legislations (like our environmental protection laws) are only as good as rule of law and the political will to enforce those laws.
AkuMelayu: Everyone should not be prejudice. Najib is reforming Malaysia. Let us all support this welcome gesture.
Pemerhati: By abolishing the ISA, Najib gives the impression that BN is not going to abuse its authority and will treat its citizens fairly.
The cases involving Anwar Ibrahim, Teoh Beng Hock and A Kugan clearly show that Najib and BN can get the public servants to carry out any crooked activity.
Both the Teoh and Kugan cases provide a clear illustration of how Najib and BN got the pathologists, the enforcement officers, the attorney-general and the judiciary to dance to their tune and exonerated the people suspected of murder and even get a royal commission to say that Teoh's death was due to suicide.
Dr Mahathir Mohamad was able to imprison Anwar without using the ISA. He was found guilty and imprisoned on trumped-up sodomy charges by using the crooked police, AG and judges, and now Najib seems to be following in his footsteps with the ongoing sodomy II trial.
Najib and BN have now realised that it is not necessary to have the draconian ISA because they can still put anyone they don't like into prison by using corrupt and unprincipled public servants.
Wira: Thank you Pakatan Rakyat parties, for forcing the issue to make those thieves understand that they cannot continue to suppress freedom through the indiscriminate use of ISA.
Thank you Bersih 2.0, for making BN realise that the wrath of common citizens can force changes.
Cala: Well, well, such news is certainly welcome. But we should keep our fingers crossed knowing that there is always a gap between policy and practice. On paper, at least Najib appears to take into account public opinion.
Two questions beg answers. First, is it a clear sign that the GE is finally around the corner? Second, is the regime finding itself on soft ground?
Should Najib apologise and compensate for ISA atrocities? In school, if one does not study for examination, the punishment from the system is a fail in the subject. In working life, one gets the boot for not delivering result for the company. So in real life, it is silly of Najib to make a confession and hope that the ghosts will disappear.
To merely announce the repeal of ISA is insufficient to those who have been unjustly detained. Given the draconian nature of ISA, many ex-detainees have revealed how much pain (both physical and mental) they have endured from the atrocities meted to them.
The victims, we were informed, were confined to solitary cells for weeks. They were lucky if they could walk away and keep their sanity.
In sum, Najib should unconditionally apologise to the ex-detainees and their immediate family members, offer suitable monetary compensations to them subject to mutual agreements.
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