Motion to debate ISA arrests shot down

An emergency motion to debate the recent arrests of 13 men under the Internal Security Act 1960 (ISA) has been disallowed on account of ‘security’.

According to Dewan Rakyat speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia, the issue “cannot be discussed publicly” as it involves “elements of secrecy”.

“Parties who are interested to know more can contact the Home Ministry directly,” he said.

Responding to the motion tabled by Mahfuz Omar (PAS-Pokok Sena), he said his decision was also based on the fact that the ISA is still in force.

“I was informed that the arrests were made under the ISA which is still in force and has not been repealed, nor have new Acts (to replace it) been put in place,” he said.

He added that Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein has extended an invitation to the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam), should it require further information on the arrests.

Suhakam had earlier condemned the arrests and called for the 13, who are reported to be linked to terrorist groups, to be charged in open court.

Its call was, however, deemed as “irresponsible” by Hishammuddin.

‘Government is insincere’

In tabling the motion, Mahfuz pointed out that calls have not been made for the release of the alleged militants.

“What we want is for them to be (brought) to justice,” he said.

He added that the arrests also denote “insincerity” on the government’s part, following Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's Malaysia Day announcement.

The PM had said that the Act, which allows for detention without trial, will be repealed and replaced.

Hishammuddin said the repeal will be tabled in Parliament during the next sitting in March, and that the replacement legislation will retain provisions for detention without trial.

Police have said that the detainees - seven Malaysians and six foreigners - were nabbed in an anti-terrorism operation in Tawau on Nov 14 and 16.