The ISA Must Not be a Substitute for Proper Investigations

I guess most middle-class citizens don’t really bother much that the nine suspected terrorists have had their jail term extended after having been held without trial for four years.

After the September 11th incident many governments have also introduced such anti-terrorism laws that are necessary to empower the authorities to reduce the chances of such incidents.

However, such measures should not include imprisonment for two years without any judicial review within a reasonable period like say three months after the initial detention.

Surely the authorities should have some evidence before using such a draconian law on suspected terrorists. Otherwise it just gives too much power to a small group of individuals.

That is why a judicial review is important so that we do not unjustly imprison innocent citizens just on the possibility that they may have had some links to a terrorist group. Even a Malaysian company was linked to manufacturing a component used in equipment used for a nuclear facility but the case was closed as it was decided that the company did not know the end use.

Now these nine are still being held after four years without being charged. No wonder a few hundred turned up to protest the unfair detention.
What have the authorities been doing these past years? Trying to reform the men?

Such detention is against simple human decency and the protesters have proved their point. The police too should be commended for showing restraint and not giving them the usual water cannon treatment. I am sure some of those in uniform also sympathize with the friends and families of the prisoners.

Let us pass laws that can be properly justified and implemented.




photo: malaysiakini