GOMBAK, Dec 10 — Datuk Ibrahim Ali has likened the Internal Security Act (ISA) to legendary keris Taming Sari, describing the law as a “weapon” to protect Malay special rights from being challenged.
“The Taming Sari keris, a weapon for the Malays, is gone.
“Where is our Taming Sari if we wish to safeguard Malay interests in future?” the Perkasa chief said at the Najib Razak Seminar held at the International Islamic University Malaysia (UIA) here.
Taming Sari is the legendary keris owned by Malay warrior Hang Tuah which was said to confer upon its owner the power of invincibility.
Ibrahim (picture) stressed that the spirit of the ISA, which allows for detention without trial, must live on in new replacement laws so police have the tools to handle issues which threaten Malaysia’s multi-religious society.
He cited the recent rise in challenges to Malay hegemony, including the “Allah” issue, the Bersih rally and an incident where a pig’s head was thrown into a surau as examples of “sensitive issues” that could lead to racial strife.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak pledged in his Malaysia Day speech to repeal the ISA, which critics describe as an anachronistic, draconian law.
The ISA was introduced in 1960 to deter communist activity after Malaya declared independence from the British.
Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, however, later clarified that the two new laws that would take the place of the ISA will continue to provide for extrajudicial detention.
The home minister cited the US Patriot Act and anti-terrorism laws in the UK and Australia as examples how governments around the world were resorting to detention without trial to fight terrorism.
The opposition has accused Barisan Nasional (BN) of flogging “old wine in new bottles”, stressing that the two replacement laws must be genuine attempts at reform, as promised by the prime minister.
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