The Star Online: Nation
The Star Online: Nation |
- Repeal and review of unpopular laws is widely welcomed
- Nazri: Repeal of ISA only next year
- New enactment for Rukun Tetanga to be tabled in parliament soon
| Repeal and review of unpopular laws is widely welcomed Posted: 16 Sep 2011 06:07 AM PDT KUALA LUMPUR: The government's decision to abolish the Internal Security Act (ISA) is seen as a major change in the country's law and security situation. Malaysian Ex-Policemen Association secretary-general Mohd Hanafiah Abdul Manap said the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak's decision to repeal the law was pertinent and should be supported by all quarters. "It was a wise decision to replace the ISA with two new laws as it had been used for a long time to curtail subversives. But the proposed laws must help strengthen peace and security of the country," he said when contacted Friday. Najib in his Malaysia Day 2011 special address, announced that the ISA would be abolished and two new laws introduced to ensure continued peace, order, prosperity and harmony in the country. In his address, Najib also announced the abolishment of the Banishment Act 1959, and comprehensive review of the Restricted Residence Act 1933, Publications and Printing Presses Act 1984 and Section 27 of the Police Act. Former Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) commissioner Datuk N. Siva Subramaniam said the decision, which had surprised not only the people but also the international community, proved Malaysia's recognition of human rights. Subramaniam, who was also involved in discussions about the abolishment of the ISA for the past two years, said the public should place their confidence in the government that two new laws to be enacted would help curb subversion, terrorism and organised crime. "Any decisions made by the government will certainly take Malaysia to a new level of responsible freedom," he said. Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation vice-chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the decision was a progressive step towards liberalising the country. "Actually, ISA is outdated. The situation when the ISA was enacted has changed. It was a timely decision," he said, adding that it could prevent the ISA from being used as a political capital by irresponsible politicians. Malay right-wing group, Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali said the association welcomed the abolishment of all emergency acts that were no longer relevant. "However, Perkasa will rather wait for the promulgation of the two new laws to replace the ISA as we do not want them to be counter-productive," he said. Puteri Umno chief Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin and Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon described the abolishment of the ISA as a brave and wise decision and showed that the government was confident of the people's maturity and no longer need to rely on emergency acts. In IPOH, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said even though the ISA was abolished, it did not mean the people's safety and the nation's security would be compromised. "Although certain quarters, particularly the opposition, might claimed that the decision resulted from their efforts, it actually exemplified the act of a responsible government," he told reporters after attending the Merdeka Day-Malaysia Day parade. Zambry, who was detained under the ISA in 1998, said the decision was not due to pressure but in light of a new dimension in democratic practices to keep in steps with current environment. In KOTA KINABALU, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said the decision was a demonstration of the prime minister's commitment to uphold human rights and the freedom of a civil society. "The decision is a testimony that the BN government has the courage to make bold decisions and prove its critics wrong. "We are committed to upholding democratic ideals of not just racial and religious freedoms but also freedom of political ideology," he told reporters after the Merdeka Day-Malaysia Day parade at Dataran Bandaraya. Musa said Malaysians, especially the younger generation, must not take this freedom for granted but should religiously guard peace, harmony and security that they enjoyed. Liberal Democratic Party president Datuk VK Liew said the decision was a giant step toward making the nation an even better and just society. "We can feel the echo of joy rebounding across the country. It has given us hope and exhilaration. "The announcement has also made this Merdeka Day-Malaysia Day celebration more meaningful and significant. Our prime minister has taken a bold step to transform the country into a more lively and vibrant democracy," he said. On the move to abolish annual licensing for publications under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, he said it was the first step toward axing the obsolete and irrelevant law in the age of digital technology and internet. Deputy Information Communication and Culture Minister Senator Datuk Maglin Dennis D'Cruz called on all quarters not to dispute the decision, and Barisan Nasional and opposition members of Parliament should welcome the decision. Malaysia's Special Envoy on Infrastructure to India and South Asia, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the decision was timely as the ISA was no longer relevant to the current environment and the prime minister should be honoured for his courage. Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam said the decision was a positive development in the interest and needs of the people in terms of freedom of expression. - Bernama |
| Nazri: Repeal of ISA only next year Posted: 16 Sep 2011 05:40 AM PDT KUALA LUMPUR: There will not be enough time for the Internal Security Act (ISA) to be repealed when Parliament sits next month. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said new legislation to replace the ISA would only be introduced in Parliament next year "We can't repeal the act in October as we must ensure that those held under the various acts and who need to remain under detention are still held," he told AFP. "So we can't just abolish the acts overnight without considering national security," he said, adding that time was needed to work out the details. Nazri, who is the minister in charge of legal affairs, said the draft laws would be tabled during the next assembly in March. Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said those detained under the ISA would remain in custody until the two new Acts are enacted. More in The Star on Saturday |
| New enactment for Rukun Tetanga to be tabled in parliament soon Posted: 16 Sep 2011 03:00 AM PDT KUALA LUMPUR: A new enactment for Kawasan Rukun Tetangga (KRT) will be tabled in Parliament soon to replace the present enacted in 1975 under the Emergency Ordinance (EO) 1969, which will be repealed. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the new law would also cover the Voluntary Patrol Scheme under KRT. "The cabinet had agreed, in principle, to this proposed new law to further empower KRT and SRS (Voluntary Patrol Scheme)," he said in a statement, here Friday. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced Thursday night that the government would table a motion in Parliament for three proclamations of emergency made many years ago and regarded to be still in force, to be revoked. The motion to be made under Clause 3, Article 150 of the Federal Constitution was in line with the people's aspiration for Malaysia to be more open and its democracy, more dynamic. Koh said he had initiated discussions with Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz and Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail on the matter. He said in line with the Government Transformation Programme's focus to fight crime, KRT had increased 37 percent from less than 4,000 in January 2009 to almost 5,500 by now while SRS by more than 110 percent from 1,284 to 2,698. - Bernama |
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