I heard a rumour that there is a very good chance that the Internal Security Act is going to be repealled and that the government is in the process of doing so.
There will however be a Anti-Teorrist Act (ATA)which will target specifically those who carry out terrorist acts.
Although I have certain reservation about the ATA , this may be the important first step that we have been pushing very hard ( getting ISA to be repealed). The argument for this ATA is that now most of the western countries such as USA, UK , AUstralia, Canada etc have legislated this Act.
UN has also passed a resolution 1373 in 2001 which is supposed to be binding on all UN members, wihtout having to be signatories to any agreement.
This is fromWikipedia:
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373 is a counter-terrorism measure adopted September 28, 2001, following the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States[1].The resolution was adopted by a unanimous UN Security Council under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, and is therefore binding on all UN member states. It marks a shift in international law, as the latter was presumed to be valid only if the concerned state had voluntarily signed the international treaty; whereas here the Security Council imposed the resolution on all member states.
Malaysia is also a signatories of the Asean COnvention of Counter Terrorism in January 2007. The declaration of the convention can be viewed here.
My reservation of having an ATA is not because Terrorism is not important, but rather, will it be abused by the power that be again? Will there be any check and balance in the act that a person deemed to be a terrorist can have another avenue for reviewing his case, and not just by police and the Home Ministry.
Dr. Hsu's forum 
Jul 13, 2009 @ 15:18:01
“……My reservation of having an ATA is not because Terrorism is not important, but rather, will it be abused by the power that be again? Will there be any check and balance in the act that a person deemed to be a terrorist can have another avenue for reviewing his case, and not just by police and the Home Ministry…….”
Yes, I agree. Who has the right to define a “terrorist”? What criteria do we use to judge a “terrorist”? Take Chin Peng as an example. To the government in power, he is a “terrorist”. However, in the eyes of many, especially the so-called progressive people, Chin Peng is a hero, a patriotic fighter.
LikeLike
Jul 13, 2009 @ 16:05:35
A good move in the right direction. The government will come out with a defination most suited for our environment whilst the global defination remains.
LikeLike
Jul 13, 2009 @ 17:20:59
N, his wife M are busy boosting up their rating. Merdeka Center “pressured”? Comments in blogs all over are not reflective of 65% passing mark 😀
Why not have online poll on this, Merdeka Center, in your own website?
http://www.merdeka.org/
Merdeka Center makan cili here, rasa pedas?
LikeLike
Jul 13, 2009 @ 17:57:57
monk,
My Malay friend told me, Umno sure koyak tomorrow in Manek Urai bye-bye election.
He is very kind to explain what is ‘koyak’ to me,….
siapa makan cili, dia rasa pedas.
LikeLike
Jul 13, 2009 @ 18:05:36
Pemuda Gerakan to participate in massive ISA rally?
http://www.malaysiakini.com/bm/
LikeLike
Jul 13, 2009 @ 19:08:36
Dr Hsu,
I just read Malaysiakini.
There is a gerakan youth member who has gone crazy.
It is stupid to do demostration…..to abolish ISA.
Do you think the rakyat like to see demostration?
Gerakan should find a better way to tell Najib to abolish or change the ISA.
Doing a demonstration will only make people hate gerakan. Please help to voice out immediately to cancel this statement before it affect your party. Very silly of the youth member who issued the statement. I think his name was andy yong. Typical idiot who issued statement for personal interest.
LikeLike
Jul 13, 2009 @ 19:20:18
Leslie Lau rated N “C” or “D”, then someone got trouble.
I told you, “C” or “D” not 65%?
C or D makan cili, N rasa pedas?
LikeLike
Jul 13, 2009 @ 20:08:12
I see nothing wrong with Gerakan Youth stand if it is not illegal or a peaceful assembly as guaranteed under our constitution. As stated in the press, it is the party’s objective to promote human rights enshrined in the constitution and UDHR. The sentiment of the public likely to support such move, perhaps Gerakan conscience in BN is back on track again.
LikeLike
Jul 13, 2009 @ 20:55:15
This Gerakan youth – under the younger Lim, is as stupid as stupid can be. Mana ada future. Both for Gerakan and for the Lims.
Can you believe this? KTK said KPIs will not be out till June next year. This just mean there is a problem. After all the noise and bangs, now it mid next year. What a let down? What a shame?
LikeLike
Jul 13, 2009 @ 23:06:22
I think if any demonstration is peaceful, it should be allowed because under the constitution, freedom of expression is guaranteed.
In the west, you have people demonstrating almost every day, with pickets and so on, but in a peaceful manner. As long as traffic is not disrupted, police will just stand by and keep a watcthful eye.
I will defend anyone ‘s right to voice out and express their opinion, as long as this is done in a peaceful and orderly manner. I may diagree with what they fight for, but i will definitely support their right to voice out.
This is a modern society and we should allow peaceful gathering and expression of opinion.
I have often said that the rule that requires any gathering more than 5 persons to have a police permit is ridiculous. ANytime in coffee shops or sometimes in gardens, you can see more than 5 people talking to each other. How about wedding gathering on the road side and so on? THis archaic requirement is in direct contradiction with the spirits of constitution which states that freedom of speech is guaranteed.
LikeLike
Jul 13, 2009 @ 23:54:11
a gerakan member,
The reason why your party is in the predicament it is currently in is because of views like yours.
A peaceful demonstration against ISA could probably be the bravest thing your party has done in a long while and you call that stupid? You think the people will hate your party for demonstrating against ISA?
WRONG!!! The people already hate your party because it failed to stand up against the UMNO bullies!
And your suggestion of talking to Najib in a ‘better way’? Do you not realize that the ISA will not be abolished because Gerakan leaders talked to Najib in a ‘better way’ or demonstrate against it?
It will only be repealed when the UMNO bullies realize that they will lose the votes if they continue with draconian laws which no longer is relevant in this day and age and will not be tolerated by fair-thinking Malaysians.
I’m not saying UMNO is not capable of reform but if it happens, it sure won’t be because your mosquito party talked to Najib in a ‘better way’!
The reality is UMNO controls and decides everything in this country. And about the only thing they are afraid of is losing their support base of rural Malays!
Like Dr Hsu once wrote, Gerakan is a “square peg in a round hole” and we the ordinary Malaysians can see that.
Your president once said to me that Gerakan took the brunt of the punishment against UMNO in the last GE.
Don’t you get it yet? People hate Gerakan today because it continues to suck-up to the UMNO bullies!!!
If there were more of Dr Hsu and less of you in Gerakan, the party may yet have a tiny chance of survival. As it is, your party can only survive on the coat-tails of UMNO!
LikeLike
Jul 14, 2009 @ 03:33:58
Uyghur Congress Appeals For Help
The World Uyghur Congress appeals to the people and governments in the free world as well as human rights organizations around the world to take urgent action to stop the ethnic massacre in East Turkistan!
According to the latest news the World Uyghur Congress obtained directly from East Turkistan, Uyghurs in Urumchi are not only facing brutal massacre at the hands of the Chinese armed forces and police but also from Chinese civilians who have started to engage in a mass slaughter of the Uyghurs.
Chinese civilians, using clubs, bars, knives and machetes, are killing the Uyghurs throughout East Turkistan. They are storming the university dormitories, Uyghur residential homes, workplaces and organizations, and massacring children, women and elderly.
According to the latest news the World Uyghur Congress obtained about one hour ago, one Uighur young man was mutilated on Dongbeilu. A Uighur woman who was carrying a baby in her arms was mutilated along with her infant baby on Huanghelu. Over 1,000 ethnic Han Chinese armed with knives and machetes marched into Xinjiang Medical University and engaged in a mass killing of the Uyghurs. Two Uyghur female students were beheaded; their heads were placed on a stake on the middle of the street. In Railroad factory, Ergong subdivision, ethnic Han Chinese began searching for Uighurs and upon finding them, killed them in mass numbers. The World Uyghur Congress headquarters has received many disturbing news reports stating the above.
Chinese police and security forces are not taking any action against this barbaric and gratuitous violence against the Uyghurs. The Chinese government is not taking any measures or precautions to safeguard Uyghur civilians from this mob violence and these brutal massacres. Uighurs living in residential areas densely-populated by ethnic Han Chinese are in grave danger. Chinese police and security forces are taking no action against such deadly violence against the Uyghur people.
At the moment, ethnic Han Chinese are phoning World Uyghur Congress headquarters in Munich, Germany and voicing threats against the WUC leadership.
We appeal to the United Nations, the United Sates of America, European countries and NATO forces who defend justice and world peace to intervene immediately, send troops and make all efforts to ensure peace and stability in East Turkistan and save the helpless Uyghurs from this violent bloodshed.
The situation in East Turkistan is declining rapidly. Scenes from streets, shops and residential areas are beyond anyone’s imagination. With each passing minute another innocent Uyghur life is stolen!
Written by The World Uyghur Congress
LikeLike
Jul 14, 2009 @ 03:43:16
Dr Hsu
Following 9-11, how sure terrorist act do not just amount to or target the Muslims only?
I dont trust dont believe USA in its mission
combating terrorism after watching a detailed zoomed video of how PTC was make to believe came down
from the planes ramming into its buldings make to believe the fire melted the steel bars but other
activities was happening in the bulding about a
month prior to the 9-11 incident.
Malaysia must do our way, our agenda, not support
USA’s agenda.
LikeLike
Jul 14, 2009 @ 03:47:10
I agree with you here.
“..I have often said that the rule that requires any gathering more than 5 persons to have a police permit is ridiculous..”
I just got home , 7 of us frends talking since midnite at gurney drive by the esplanade with soft drinks, eating rojak, keropok, etc.
Dont tell me in future we need police permits ?
LikeLike
Jul 14, 2009 @ 09:54:09
Atila
Don’t you think the situation in Xinjiang is the same as in May 13 where the chinese were attacked and the Askar Melayu stoodby and watched and also took part in it.??
Xinjiang is part of China and in 1933 the Uyghurs
have rebelled and set up the East Turkistan republic for 2 years. Again in 1944-1949 they rebelled and did the same.
Do you think China will allow it to happen again.??
It is the muslim terrorist that are supporting the uyghurs.
Let them sort out their problem.
LikeLike
Jul 14, 2009 @ 10:12:24
I think Gerakan Youth demonstration is a bunch of middle aged men doing stupid thing. Ask their wives to pull their ears.
They dont have the class of Khairy. They want to do away with ISA and replace it with the Anti-Terrorism Act.
I would suggest they read the text of the Internal Security Act and the UK Anti Terrorism Act 2000. The objective is the same. The main difference in the UK act is the addition of threat to electronic systems – something that was not evident when the ISA was drawn up.
I can bet you the new Anti Terrorism Act will the ISA text with a few changes.
What is these half baked political wannabees talking.
LikeLike
Jul 14, 2009 @ 10:26:31
In a fair, free and enlightened democratic society, people should be allowed to demonstrate peacefully for, or against , any cause. Whether they can rally strong support ( excluding paid supporters) is a measure of the justness of their beliefs and their organizational skills.
Peaceful demonstrations or gatherings of concerned citizens can be viewed as a form of check and balance on the unbridled powers of authorities armed with repressive laws. However, in Malaysia, we have every reason to be suspicious of any new strong arm legislation such as the ATA. The ruling BN-Umno legislators do not understand check and balance as civil society know it. To them, a check is something to be banked into their account, while balance is what appears on their bank statement thereafter. How can we trust such people to do good and not abuse their powers?
LikeLike
Jul 14, 2009 @ 12:20:12
A few weeks ago, Hishamuddin already announced that there is going to be a review of ISA law.
I believe the ISA demostration is illegal. It will cause massive jam for the KL people. That is highly irresponsible.
Romerz, being brave is one thing. Being stupid is another thing.
I think the idea to participate this demostration is just another clear example of how stupid the gerakan youth chief.
He could have just send a memorandum to the PM. That would clearly show the gerakan youth stand on this.
As Dr Hsu said, there should be a right to voice out.
But Why should it be a demostration? It causes difficulty and make people uneasy in KL.
JUST IMAGINE THE MASSIVE JAM AND PUBLIC DISORDER. FRU AND POLICE there will also cause a waste of public fund.
CAN SOMEONE PLEASE ASK WHETHER GERAKAN YOUTH HAD SEND A MEMORANDUM OR LETTER TO PM???
Some may say that it is for publicity stunt for gerakan youth chief. Perhaps, it is just an act of sillyness.
I got no idea why gerakan have such a stupid youth chief.
Sigh!
LikeLike
Jul 14, 2009 @ 13:49:06
jason. I cannot agree with you more. Why demonstrate now, when the minister said it is being reviewed. Why dont he do it when the opposition parties were demonstrating, especially when the police were prone to react harshly? Would the police throw the Gerakan demonstrators into the lockup – just to be even handed?
It take stupid people to get stupid youth chief. They deserve him.
LikeLike
Jul 14, 2009 @ 15:32:27
klm,
gerakan youth had a contest last. I think lots of youth members are regretting choosing the “prince” as the chief.
Very unfortunte.
LikeLike
Jul 14, 2009 @ 15:32:56
Dr Hsu,
how would you assess the performance of the national youth chief of gerakan?
LikeLike
Jul 14, 2009 @ 19:04:22
Cilipadi,
I know Suffian Ibrahim from Merdeka Opinion Poll Center well. But I have to disagree with the polling not because of political bias but questionable on the sampling mode. Even if the survey is accurate, the “representativeness” cannot be accurate due to large voting population of more than 13 million and 2,000 odd or less sampling.
Sorry, I don’t believe N got that rating.
Yes, Koyak is for sure, and U Must Not Object.
haven’t hear from you long time, travelling?
monk
LikeLike
Jul 14, 2009 @ 21:34:25
monk,
Not really travelling. I am just sick of making comments. It looks like Malaysia is leading to no where.
Views, comments, arguments can be logical, but once “morality” not there amongst politicians, sensibility is missing.
Just look at Manek Urai, PAS wins by 65 votes. I see this as internal sabotage.
What you think?
LikeLike
Jul 14, 2009 @ 21:49:37
Yes, over the recent Pas-UMNO unity talks. And fueled by other factors too.
It’s a long and winding road ahead.
LikeLike
Jul 14, 2009 @ 22:21:26
Ask yourself, why Hadi and Nasha were not there?
Both celebrating at other places for achieving target of loss by 65 votes?
65 votes, 65% N rating. Go buy 6565 magnum, hahahahaha
65% makan cili, 65 votes rasa pedas
Nasha makan cili, Hadi rasa pedas
LikeLike
Jul 14, 2009 @ 23:54:58
Meng,
“…Don’t you think the situation in Xinjiang is the same as in May 13 where the chinese were attacked and the Askar Melayu stoodby and watched and also took part in it.??”
Were you there to watch this or read history book whose version?
LikeLike
Jul 14, 2009 @ 23:58:02
Manik Urai…semua terurai & terburai..
LikeLike
Jul 15, 2009 @ 00:04:30
Quote from above:
“Xinjiang is part of China and in 1933 the Uyghurs
have rebelled and set up the East Turkistan republic for 2 years. Again in 1944-1949 they rebelled and did the same.
Do you think China will allow it to happen again.??
It is the muslim terrorist that are supporting the uyghurs.
Let them sort out their problem.”
I pose the article to see how Malaysians react, seems
religion background have difference reaction.
We as global Muslims, we take interest of our brothers and sister. Other religion may not care but not us Muslims. What happens here is the same as in Bosnia except it was a 800year old revenge.
LikeLike