ISA belongs in Malaysia’s history, not future

 

From P Ramasamy

The proposal to revive the Internal Security Act (ISA) as a solution to managing racial and religious extremism in Malaysia is deeply flawed.

While issues of race and religion undeniably have the potential to ignite unrest, reviving the ISA – a law infamous for its misuse to silence dissent – is not the answer.

Yes, we need a responsible, honest, and just government to manage the divisive forces of racial and religious politics. However, the problem lies not in the absence of stringent laws but in the selective enforcement of existing ones.

Malaysia already has sufficient legislation to address extremism. If these laws are inadequately or inconsistently applied, adding new draconian measures like the ISA will only exacerbate the issue.

The ISA’s history demonstrates its abuse by those in power to suppress opposition rather than safeguard national security. It blurred the lines between genuine threats and moderate dissent, eroding trust in the rule of law.

Any attempt to reinstate it would risk the same pitfalls, undermining democracy and human rights in the process. The argument that new laws are necessary to curb extremism overlooks the core issue: enforcement.

Strengthening the capacity, neutrality, and accountability of law enforcement is what’s required, not the creation of harsher laws. The enforcement problem stems from political interference and systemic weaknesses, not legal inadequacies.

Malaysia must resist the temptation to resort to repressive legislation in response to societal challenges.

Laws like the Sedition Act, Sosma, and other anti-human rights measures should also be re-examined and phased out. The solution lies in courageous governance that respects fundamental human rights and prioritises justice over control.

The ISA should remain in the dustbin of history, along with any attempts to revive authoritarian tools under the guise of maintaining order.

Malaysians deserve a leadership that upholds democracy, not a return to a Hobbesian state of repression. - FMT

P Ramasamy is Urimai chairman.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.