Have a referendum to bring back ISA, says Perkasa

Datuk Ibrahim Ali (centre) with other members of Perkasa's Supreme Council at a press conference at the Sultan Sulaiman Club in Kuala Lumpur today. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Afif Abd Halim.Malay rights group Perkasa wants Putrajaya to hold a referendum to determine if the people want the Internal Security Act (ISA), which allowed for preventive detention, to be reintroduced.

Its president Datuk Ibrahim Ali said after ISA was repealed, there are groups who no longer cared about what they say in public about sensitive issues.

"The police have difficulty enforcing the law as they no longer have the instrument to check such elements. SOSMA (Security Offence Special Measures) and Prevention of Crime Act (PCA) are not enough. Cases will be taken to court and you know how long a court proceeding is going to take," said Ibrahim.

He said a referendum is the best solution as the current religious tensions between Muslim and Christian groups have been on the rise.

"The government is in a tight spot because of its previous decision to repeal the ISA. It is a populist move by the prime minister at the time. So a referendum is the best way to bring it back. It is a democratic way to decide a big decision like this especially when it comes to safety and security issues," said Ibrahim.

He said the referendum process can be handled by Election Commission or any body set up to oversee it.

"Everyone who are 21 years and above can come out and vote on the ISA. Let the majority voice be heard although sometimes the decision may not be the right one," he said.