KUALA LUMPUR: Gerakan wants the use of the Internal Security Act (ISA) to be narrowed down to curb terrorism activities and that detainees under the controversial legislation should be granted the right for a judicial review on their arrest.
Its deputy president Datuk Chang Ko Youn said the party was firm in its belief that ISA should only be used on those who planned or executed acts of terrorism, adding that the use of weapons or violence that threatens national security could not be tolerated.
He said ISA should not be used at will on politicians and social activists, stressing that the draconian legislation was also not meant to arrest those who were involved in forging of identity cards or printing of counterfeit notes.
"We do not want ISA to be abolished but we want its usage to be narrowed down," he told The Edge Malaysia today.
According to Chang, the invocation of the ISA on terrorists is still needed following the Sept 11, 2001, terror attacks, for without such a piece of legislation, law enforcement authorities would fight a losing battle against terrorists.
He pointed out that the legal rights of the detainee under ISA should also be safeguarded and that Gerakan was supportive for each detention to be subjected to a judicial review by the courts based on merits of the case.
"There may be evidence and information which are only known to the police and government. As such the aggrieved party (detainee) may not be aware without a judicial review," said Chang, who is also special advisor to Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir on Chinese affairs.
Chang also said the party was persistent to call for the release of the Hindraf leaders – P Uthayakumar, M Manoharan and T Vasanthakumar — from ISA in the Kamunting detention centre, as the activists have done nothing that warrant detention without trial.
"They were only involved in demonstration. They did not do any act of violence," he added.
Newly appointed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has pledged for a comprehensive review of the ISA on his first day in office. The premier also announced the release of 13 detainees under ISA that include Hindraf’s R Kenghadharan and V Ganabatirau.
A political analyst when contacted said the draconian law invoked on terrorists must also not be subject to abuse, stressing that there must be a common understanding by the relevant authorities on the definition of terrorists or those involved in acts of terrorism.
"The authorities must exercise discretion and evaluate an ISA arrest on a case-to-case basis. They must have compelling evidence that one is a terrorist before an arrest," he noted.
The political analysts said several politicians and activists including Tian Chua and Hishamuddin Rais were detained under the ISA in 2001 for plotting to overthrow the government through "militant means" but there was lack of evidence to suggest that they concealed weapons.
Two months ago, Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar confirmed there were about 40 ISA detainees in the Kamunting detention centre at that time and that the majority is from Jemaah Islamiyah and Darul Islamiah.
He also said the government does not detain an individual under ISA due to his ideology but rather he is perceived to be a threat to national security.
Its deputy president Datuk Chang Ko Youn said the party was firm in its belief that ISA should only be used on those who planned or executed acts of terrorism, adding that the use of weapons or violence that threatens national security could not be tolerated.
He said ISA should not be used at will on politicians and social activists, stressing that the draconian legislation was also not meant to arrest those who were involved in forging of identity cards or printing of counterfeit notes.
"We do not want ISA to be abolished but we want its usage to be narrowed down," he told The Edge Malaysia today.
According to Chang, the invocation of the ISA on terrorists is still needed following the Sept 11, 2001, terror attacks, for without such a piece of legislation, law enforcement authorities would fight a losing battle against terrorists.
He pointed out that the legal rights of the detainee under ISA should also be safeguarded and that Gerakan was supportive for each detention to be subjected to a judicial review by the courts based on merits of the case.
"There may be evidence and information which are only known to the police and government. As such the aggrieved party (detainee) may not be aware without a judicial review," said Chang, who is also special advisor to Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir on Chinese affairs.
Chang also said the party was persistent to call for the release of the Hindraf leaders – P Uthayakumar, M Manoharan and T Vasanthakumar — from ISA in the Kamunting detention centre, as the activists have done nothing that warrant detention without trial.
"They were only involved in demonstration. They did not do any act of violence," he added.
Newly appointed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has pledged for a comprehensive review of the ISA on his first day in office. The premier also announced the release of 13 detainees under ISA that include Hindraf’s R Kenghadharan and V Ganabatirau.
A political analyst when contacted said the draconian law invoked on terrorists must also not be subject to abuse, stressing that there must be a common understanding by the relevant authorities on the definition of terrorists or those involved in acts of terrorism.
"The authorities must exercise discretion and evaluate an ISA arrest on a case-to-case basis. They must have compelling evidence that one is a terrorist before an arrest," he noted.
The political analysts said several politicians and activists including Tian Chua and Hishamuddin Rais were detained under the ISA in 2001 for plotting to overthrow the government through "militant means" but there was lack of evidence to suggest that they concealed weapons.
Two months ago, Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar confirmed there were about 40 ISA detainees in the Kamunting detention centre at that time and that the majority is from Jemaah Islamiyah and Darul Islamiah.
He also said the government does not detain an individual under ISA due to his ideology but rather he is perceived to be a threat to national security.
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