Muhamad Yusof Husin, a first-term senator from PAS, claimed that the trend stinks of old tactics employed by the BN in 1987, when the authorities clamped down on anti-government sentiments by detaining 106 people under the Internal Security Act (ISA).He admitted that it remains a big “maybe”, but stressed that it is a worrying prospect that should not be put past the ruling government.
Muhamad Yusof noted that the way the incidents have played out over the weekend, it is not too far-fetched to assume that the authorities may try to portray a “tense situation in the country”.
“When peaceful activities are not allowed, it would spark protests and possibly the authorities may use this opportunity to use the ISA, with the excuse to restore order,” he said at a press conference at the Senate lounge today.
“Just like Ops Lalang in 1987 (left), where all opposition leaders and NGOs staff not supportive of the government were detained under the ISA ... that is a possibility. Then they (BN) will hold elections and the BN leaders can contest comfortably because there would be no opposition.”Muhamad Yusof went as far as to warn that if the authorities are not careful, their aggression could spark another massacre like the 1982 Kg Memali incident where 14 people were killed in a civil uprising against some 3,000 police officers, sent to arrest PAS strongman Ibrahim Mahmud, also known as Ibrahim Libya.
Muhamad Yusof and a group of PR senators were lambasting the police's heavy-handed treatment of activists taking part in last night's anti-ISA vigil held simultaneously in Petaling Jaya (right), Ipoh and Penang. A total of 36 people were detained and had their statements recorded before they were released just a few hours before dawn today.
'Thugs in uniform'
DAP-appointed senator S Ramakrishnan was outraged by the police's actions, saying the authorities merely made themselves look like “thugs in uniform”.
He claimed that police procedures were odd, when taking statements from those detained at the Petaling Jaya police headquarters, as they insisted that each detainee produce their own respective bailer and lawyer before they could be released.“Surprisingly, statements were not only taken from those detained but also from their lawyers and bailers. This is unprecedented,” said Ramakrishnan (left).
Ramakrishnan, who filed an emergency motion to debate the issue in the Senate, decried the police's brutality against the activists, claiming some were dragged and even kicked while being detained.
“We have become a real police state, where even children and women are seen as a threat to the government,” he said.
Sanctioned by PM?
PKR senator Syed Husin Ali did not discount the possibility that the events over the weekend could indicate elections are around the corner, but stressed that the situation is worse than what he had witnessed in the past.
Taking into account the detention of seven people at a PR ceramah in Rengit, Batu Pahat in Johor on Saturday, and another 16 detained at a Felcra gathering last night, he claimed the net has been spread far and wide at the behest of Prime Minister Najib Razak (left, in a Scorpene submarine) and Home Minister Hishamuddin Hussein. “I heard from a very reliable source that there is a decision by both the PM and home minister that any protest by the opposition and NGOs should be curtailed.
“Certain leaders feel threatened, not only locally but also internationally with issues such as the Scorpene (submarine deal) being investigated by French authorities.
“They feel threatened and under siege, but a foolish move is to take stronger action. The stronger action you take, the more anger you cause. If they go on in this manner, the people will get angry... it is we who gain,” he said.
courtesy of Malaysiakini
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