De facto Law Minister Zaid Ibrahim today threatened to resign if the government continues to use the Internal Security Act, which allows detention without trial, against political dissidents.
Zaid Ibrahim called for the immediate release of Teresa Kok and Raja Petra Kamaruddin.
"We have a government that commits to laws and reforms, we can't be using old-style politics or resort to creating fear. We have laws and they (the detainees) should be charged in court.
"I'll try to meet with Prime Minister this week to convey to him my position. If (he considers) my position untenable, I will leave," he told Malaysiakini.
Zaid said ISA should only be used to curb terrorism, which was the reason why it was first enacted.
"The problem with the ISA now is that it is used against certain people, it is a very unjust law," he added.
The ISA is a relic from the British colonial era, used to combat the communist insurgency. The Act is now repeated invoked by the government to stifle dissent.
Commenting further, Zaid said: "I am very sad that people like Teresa, whom I know personally, can be seen as a threat. I can't see how a journalist doing her duty, or even Raja Petra, can be seen as a national threat.
"If their statements upset certain people, let the police investigate," the minister said, adding that he did not see the need for the government to use such a "strong-arm tactic" against political dissidents.
Zaid lamented that the latest ISA arrests dealt a blow to his six-month-long task of trying to regenerate the judiciary.
The minister conceded that his views on certain matters do not go down well with his cabinet colleagues.
"I don't want to make it difficult for him (Abdullah). If my views are inconsistent or unsuitable (to that of the cabinet's), I can leave the government.
"It (the crackdown) is a setback (on my work). The government wanted to change certain things, otherwise they don't need me (to be in the cabinet)," he said.
Source: Malaysiakini
Let us indicate out support for Zaid Ibrahim's stand on the ISA. Zaid's strong message to the PM must be lauded and he needs the peoples' support so as to sent a strong message to the PM to cause him to change and stay relevant.
All bloggers are exalted to post this article to show their support. We need this message to be ringing aloud and truculent.
Related ISA News!
Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam said as a government sensitive to the feelings of the people, it cannot be blind to the fact that a significant proportion of the rakyat abhor the ISA and would prefer it not be used.
"We have adequate laws in the country to deal with all forms of errant, irresponsible, and dangerous behaviour. Why not use them?
"The prospect of a person being detained without a chance of being heard and to defend himself is against the grains of present day popular belief," he added.
Malaysiakini: Another minister questions ISA dragnet
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28 comments:
Jom lakukan HARTAL untuk selamatkan negara tercinta ini.
BEBASKAN SEMUA TAHANAN ISA SEKARANG!
MANSUHKAN ISA SEKARANG!
Let's do HARTAL for our beloved country.
FREE ALL ISA DETAINEES NOW!
ABOLISH ISA NOW!
The next to be ISA-ed are zaid and subramaniam! lol
This is the only guy from umno that is decent !
This is the only guy from umno that is decent !
At last, a breath of fresh air. Finally something that makes sense.
arifabdull,
What is HARTAL?
Hasilox,
You got a point; I'll tell Pak Lah.
DP,
Ya, I agree!
Avatar,
Em, ya, fresh, fresh!
Talking cock again... be a decent muslim & just walk away from this disgusting lot.
...crackodollah
Crackodollah,
I do not agree with you. We must be rational and we need such minister who are brave and courageous.
Hahaha you stupid f**kers, don't you people know what is really going on?
Ask Muhyuddin. He started the ball rolling... Now every UMNO politcian will show their cards. As you people should have figured it by now, everytime UMNO have internal fights, the whole country suffers.
Teressa, RPK and the reporter, openning moves for more dangerous manuvers ahead. Controversy on Anwar will heighten as Pak Lah's boys try to throw the country into disarray to cover his weakening support.
First Zaid align himself with Pak Lah. Now, he is confronting him. Lalang!
Stay tune for further developments.
mave,
prove us wrong, name one minister/lawmaker who walk the talk or... cakap serupa bikin.
...crackodollah
zaid do not threaten, just resign like a drunkard man, thousands more waiting to replace you immediately, like GWB said 'bring it on'.
cheersbro
Zaid said: "I am very sad that people like Teresa, whom I know personally, can be seen as a threat. I can't see how a journalist doing her duty, or even Raja Petra, can be seen as a national threat.
If that how strongly he feel, then why don't he threatened to resign if RPK & Teresa are not release immediately.
In umno, all these politicians... birds of a feather.
***beeranyone
Crackodollah,
I am not in the business of proving what's right and wrong of which I am not paid to do so.
This is our country and we needed a good govt and good executives. We are not in heaven where everything is perfect and equal.
We live in a social community which is rather complex and it is everyone's hope that we had a good govt. If you are in a state of destructive narcissism, no one can be sound in your mind and you need to go to heaven to look for the ideal place of abode.
I am a Malaysian and it is my utmost hope to support any minister who speaks right and supports natural justice and the rule of law. Two wrongs don't make one right and I presumed you understand the philosophy of rational thinking.
Beeranyone,
I think you did not read the full text of his speech. He has said as such. I wonder whether you had chosen to read within the constricted sense.
Doc,that's why he is and STILL my favourite. Hidup Zaid:- Mmudahlupa
Mmudahlupa,
Hi and I'm happy that we shared the same opinion of him.
At least, we have someone in UMNO who has speak up and speak out for Teresa Kok from DAP!
Any from MCA and GERAKAN?
NONE! Very sorry lah!
KIMHO8,
Ya, MCA and Gerakan seems to ply on political alignment instead of justice and the rule of law.
Maverick,
They are no longer important to us. With no place for them in our heart. Good night and farewell to them!
We wish them good luck,
All the fellows of Malaysian Cabaret Association and Girl&rakan.
KIMHO8,
To be fair I think we have observed that both MCA and Gerakan are embracing changes at this moment in order to stay relevant.
I wouldn't give up on them. I think we should see changes.
if UMNO is no longer the governing political party, MCA, et al, is in the political wilderness,.....so, MCA will have a lot of time in their hands
as it is, cracks are showing up and camps are counting their men,.....so, more excitement is in the order.
Maverick,
Of course. We will see. I hope they can make us proud. Proud of the justice every Malaysian have.
When they're going to react?
Still too early for them?
Or tonight???
Jefus,
In politics, it's about power and influence; so camps, cliques, courting and sensationalizing is part of the attributes,
KIMHO8,
MCA & Gerakan has begun the change process and are more participative and less conformists.
Maverick,
They do not have to join Pakatan Rakyat. In fact， they should leave UMNO(BN) eariler.
We can see how they helped up UMNO at the 826 Permatang Pauh by-election campaign. They have tolerated with all UMNO's dirty tricks.
With the long term golden rice bowl in hand.................. Quite sad, isn't it?
Ahmad senile laughing all the way to the bank.
Zaid bukan hanya patut ugut hendak berhenti.patutnya berhenti terus lagi senang.
tiba-tiba lagi seorang dari kalangan kabinet Pak Lah bersuara lantang.kenapa perlu buat kenyataan pada media sekiranya dia sendiri boleh berjumpa dengan PM untuk berdiskusi lagi tentang perkara itu.
kita memang perlukan pemimpin yang berani.tapi kita haruskan bezakan antara pemimpin yang berani bersuara kerana rakyat dan pemimpin yang berani bersuara untuk keuntungan peribadi.
breaking news!!!!!!!!!!
Datuk Zaid Ibrahim were rumoured that he had already sent his resignation letter to the Prime Minister.Zaid could not be reached for confirmation.
According to sources, the senator tendered his letter of resignation to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s office just before 2pm on Monday.
for more news please click here!
Yang dia ni sibuk sangat nak membela orang yang dah disumbat tu apa cerita. Bukannya orang yang ditahan tu takda buat salah langsung. Semua bersebab. Tak payah nak banyak cakap, buat kecoh, dan nak jadi hero macam ni.
mav,
Our favourite RESIGNED! Even before i finish reading his book-In Good Faith.i'm sure there will be another book esp. on his frustration and dissenting view of ISA.
True, he's a long ranger like Tee Kiat.- Mmudahlupa
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