Najib must make stand, stop “flip-flop policy decisions”, says DAP MP

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak should end his silence and make a stand once and for all on his political reforms for Malaysia instead of constantly saying one thing and doing another, said a DAP lawmaker today.

Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto (pic) said it was time for Najib to take the lead instead of waiting on the sidelines while his Cabinet members made conflicting remarks.

"Najib condemns violent acts in the Middle East, but makes heavy-handed decisions in his own backyard which implements barbaric and oppressive laws curtailing human rights," she said.

"Even a just judiciary process in Malaysia has been marred by Najib's tinkering and flip-flop policy decisions," Kasthuri said, adding Najib seemed unaffected by the gravity of his decisions.

"Najib should break his silence and make his stand once and for all on his political reforms for Malaysia instead of constantly saying one thing and doing another."

Kasthuri has a very good idea of how draconian laws work. Her reminder was that 26 years ago today her father P. Patto was among 106 politicians, civil rights activists and educationists detained under the Internal Security Act 1960 in the now infamous Ops Lalang carried out on October 27, 1987.

The Home Ministry justified the detention of the 106 under the ISA by claiming that they posed a threat to national security, without ever actually charging them in court. Her father was detained for 18 months.

Kasthuri pointed out that in September 2011, Najib had announced that the Internal Security Act 1960 would be repealed, one of the many transformation programmes he initiated.

However, two years later, Najib's actions have turned out to be lip service as he kept silent over draconian amendments made to the Prevention of Crime Act (PCA).

"The PCA is sacrosanct, untouchable, with no judicial review and continues the legacy of detention without trial," Kasthuri said.

"It is quite obvious that Najib is more intent on securing support and ensuring his own survival in Umno while clinging on to power despite losing the popular vote in the 13th general election."