Editor’s Note: This is in response to a letter-to-editor entitled “Should the ISA Be Brought Back?” by former magistrate Dave Ananth in Free Malaysia Today (FMT) yesterday (Jan 7).
THE proposal to revive the Internal Security Act (ISA) 1960 as a solution to managing racial and religious extremism in Malaysia is deeply flawed.
For the record, the ISA was repealed and replaced by the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA) on Sept 15, 2011.
While issues of race and religion undeniably have the potential to ignite unrest, reviving the ISA – a law infamous for its misuse to silence dissent – is not the answer.
Yes, we need a responsible, honest and just government to manage the divisive forces of racial and religious politics.
However, the problem lies not in the absence of stringent laws but in the selective enforcement of existing ones.
Malaysia already has sufficient legislation to address extremism. If these laws are inadequately or inconsistently applied, adding new draconian measures like the ISA would only exacerbate the issue.
The ISA’s history demonstrates its abuse by those in power to suppress the opposition rather than to safeguard national security.
It blurred the lines between genuine threats and moderate dissent, hence eroding trust in the rule of law.
Any attempt to reinstate the ISA would risk the same pitfalls, undermining democracy and human rights in the process.
The argument that new laws are necessary to curb extremism overlooks the core issue: enforcement.
Strengthening the capacity, neutrality and accountability of law enforcement is what is required, not the creation of harsher laws.
The enforcement problem stems from political interference and systemic weaknesses – not from legal inadequacies.
Malaysia must resist the temptation to resort to repressive legislation in response to societal challenges.
In fact, laws like the Sedition Act, SOSMA, and other anti-human rights measures should also be re-examined and phased out.
The solution lies in courageous governance that respects fundamental human rights and prioritises justice over control.
The ISA should remain in the dustbin of history along with any attempts to revive authoritarian tools under the guise of maintaining order.
Malaysians deserve leadership that upholds democracy, not a return to a Hobbesian state of repression. – Jan 8, 2025
Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
