Najib should push ahead to restore his political credibility
September 18, 2011
ISA repeal: Najib should push ahead — Ooi Kee Beng
Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s sudden announcement on Thursday (September 15) night that he would very soon be repealing several unpopular laws, including the Internal Security Act (ISA) of 1960, should have won him praise from most quarters.
But it did not. Instead, a general wait-and-see sense of disbelief was the common reaction, be it from the opposition or the right wing of the ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO).
Why? Is he not allowed to get anything right? The struggle to get rid of the ISA has after all been an issue that engages wide segments of Malaysian society.
Furthermore, he promised to have three emergency declarations lifted. These are nationwide May 15, 1969 Emergency, the Sarawak Emergency from September 14, 1969 and Kelantan Emergency from November 8, 1977. The first will mean that the Emergency Ordinance that, like the ISA, also allows for detention without trial will disappear. This ordinance was recently used against six members of Parti Sosialis Malaysia in the run-up to the Bersih 2.0 march for electoral reforms.
The Restricted Residence Act of 1993 and the Printing Presses and Publication Act of 1984 will also be reviewed. This will mean that the much-hated requirement for annual applications for renewal by the mass media will be dropped.
No doubt, Najib’s personal popularity has been dropping badly. This should worry the ruling
coalition. After all, since he took office in April 2009, he has consistently been more popular than his party or his coalition has been. A bad dip for him just when a snap election is being planned must be a big worry for his government.
But for the rest of Malaysia, the announcement surely bodes well. Who cares if Najib is being a populist here and is doing the right thing for the wrong reason? The grounds for scepticism from the savvy pundits in Malaysia are two: One is, “we’ll believe it when we see it”, and second, two new Bills whose structure are as yet unknown will be passed to replace the old laws.
Well, for one thing, his own Home Affairs Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, the man who must bear the responsibility for any use of the ISA, was reported two days earlier to have replied thus to a request for clarification on rumours of a repeal of the ISA: “There is no talk about abolishing ISA. Who has been saying that?”
Taken at face value, this suggests that no serious discussion on the immediate repeal of the laws had taken place between the major players in the Cabinet. Such a grave matter surely warranted the Home Minister’s participation.
If no such discussion took place, then the question is: Is the repeal seriously meant? Will it really take place? This wait-and-see attitude among Malaysians is rational enough, given how serious reforms are such a rare thing in Malaysia.
Furthermore, two Bills are to be tabled to replace the laws now being repealed or modified. Their structure is as yet not known and the fact that the Home Minister has stated that he will study the United States’ Patriot Act and the United Kingdom’s and Australia’s Anti-terrorism Act in drafting the new laws necessarily makes the sceptics worry even more.
In making his announcement, the Prime Minister must now see things through. He is bound to meet strong resistance from within his own ranks, but it is to be hoped that he realises it would be political suicide for him to disappoint voters at this point in time.
It is exactly something as dramatic as the ISA repeal that he needs to regain the political initiative. But many are expecting him to drag his feet or to come up with some side manoeuvre. Should he do any of that, then the whole exercise will backfire on him. — Today/www.themalaysiainsider.com
*Dr. Ooi Kee Beng is a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore. Among his recent books is The Right to Differ: A Biographical Sketch of Lim Kit Siang.
Bernama reports:
“Najib Abdul Razak said today the repeal of the Internal Security Act is an effort to make Malaysia the best democracy in the world.
The Prime Minister said the repeal of the ISA was possible at this time because of the success in developing the nation, the increasing maturity of the people and the greater awareness of human rights in society.
“It was not due to pressure from any quarter,” he stressed at his Aidilfitri open house here which was attended by about 50,000 people. Also present was his wife, Rosmah Mansor.
Najib said that changes to the law were part of the political transformation that the government was carrying out from the aspect of human rights.
“The time has come for us to take another step forward not only in economics and education but also in upholding democratic principles,” he added.
He said the BN government would continue to champion the cause of the people “in all aspects” for their well-being.
The Prime Minister said the uniqueness of Malaysia must be preserved with multiracial harmony as the country surged ahead.
- Bernama
dinobeano - September 18, 2011 at 6:09 pm
What is “best”? What is “democracy”? What do you understand by the words “the best democracy in the world”? Can the repeal of ISA (assume it shall be implemented) alone result in Malaysia having the best democracy without improvements in other human rights domains? Don’t forget that there will be massive cheating during GE-13.
First, to an ordinary man on the street, democracy must come along with good governance by placing the interest of people first. Second, is there Rule of Law? Will the much battered and demoralised judiciary be independent from the control of the executive branch? Will the Police be professional, or they are, as usual, the “licensed thugs” of the regime? Third, how about the fight against corruption? Fourth, is the Printing Act to be repealed? If not, why not?
As things stand, Freedom House in its 2010 edition places Malaysia in the category of “partly free democracy”. So Najib must do more than the repeal of ISA.
Please visit: http://www.democracyweb.org/new-map/.
I am skeptical about what this flip-flopper of a Prime Minister can achieve. He talks more than he can deliver. He cannot deal with the right elements in his own party and those hot heads in Perkasa. The Deputy Prime Minister is playing a double game while his Minister of Home Affairs is thoroughly incompetent. Najib has push himself into in a corner.
As Dr Ooi says, it will be his political suicide if he plays populist politics with his Malaysia Day announcement and lets the people down again. The Electoral Reform is already on the back burner. His 1Malaysia is increasingly a joke while his New Economic Model has been sabotaged by UMNO in cahoots with Perkasa and other Malay NGOs.
Gobala - September 18, 2011 at 6:24 pm
ISA Announcement : BE-END Govt. in Meltdown
15th.Sept.2011: Backdoor Jibby announce the removal of the ISA in a Bravado speech.
17th.Sept.2011:”These are not the fruits of their struggle.This was a decision made by the Barisan Nasional govt. because we listen to Malaysians who want this change.” Backdoor Jibby told some 600 supporters.
13th.Sept.2011: “There is no talk about abolishing the ISA.Who has been saying that?”…Home & Garden Minister
The joke going round now is Mamasan RM is now also the Home Minister and not the Keris waving chump as don’t even know ISA and other important Home Ministry affairs will be announce on 15th.Sept.2011.
Wonder how serious was the discussions within BE-END when 2 days before the Announcement the Home Minister was kept in the dark and left out of the loop…what a Slap in the Face!
Hidup Malaysia!
fairplay - September 18, 2011 at 7:05 pm
The announcement by Najib to repeal the ISA and several emergency ordinances is like floating trail balloons to gauge public reaction and also dissenters from within the establishment. He will only see it through if he thinks he has the upper hand, but will sheepishly back away if he fails to win over the establishment ( the Malay feudal class, the military and police top brass and of course UMNO warlords). He is gutless as a leader due in large part to the scorpene/Altantuya episode, and the establishment can easily string him up if need be .
ken - September 18, 2011 at 7:32 pm
Din,
Kit Siang has said it all. Whatever it’s Najib must go now. With or without the repeal of ISA
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/kit-siang-revoke-bersih-ban-before-claiming-best-democracy/…below
Kit Siang: Revoke Bersih ban before claiming ‘best democracy’
By Melissa Chi
September 18, 2011
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 18 – Lim Kit Siang told Datuk Seri Najib Razak today to revoke the ban on Bersih 2.0 and drop all charges against those arrested in connection with the outlawed coalition before the prime minister can claim of wanting to be the best democratic system in the world.
Bersih groups 62 organisations calling for free and fair elections but was made illegal on July 1, eight days ahead of its rally that drew thousands much to the chagrin of the Najib administration.
“Najib should stop the charade of claiming to want to be the ‘best democracy in the world’ when what he should do is to immediately end Malaysia’s ranking as a ‘flawed democracy’ before Malaysia could qualify to rank among the full democracies in the world,” the DAP leader (picture) said in a statement today.
It was reported earlier today that Najib said the repeal of the Internal Security Act (ISA) was part of efforts to make Malaysia the best democracy in the world.
At a Raya open house in Pekan, the PM said the repeal of the ISA was possible at this time because of the success in developing the nation, the increasing maturity of the people and the greater awareness of human rights in society, adding that it was not due from pressure from any quarter.
But Lim pointed out that the third edition of the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) Democracy Index 2010 released early this year categorised Malaysia as a “flawed democracy” due to “a gradual erosion of civil liberties and political culture in the past year” and the overall country ranking falling from 68th to 71st out of 167 countries.
Only two Asian countries, South Korea and Japan were listed under countries with full democracies, out of 26.
The Ipoh Timur MP said the EIU’s Democracy Index is based on five categories: electoral process and pluralism; civil liberties; the functioning of government; political participation; and political culture.
“The condition of having free and fair competitive elections, and satisfying related aspects of political freedom, is regarded as the sine quo non of all definitions of a democracy.
“This is the most powerful vindication for the Bersih 2.0 peaceful rally for free and fair elections on July 9 and an indictment of the high-handed and undemocratic repression of the Bersih 2.0 campaign by the Najib administration,” Lim said.
___________
Looes74,
More than that, Najib must release ISA detainees who were sent to Kamunting for politics. Some of them have been detained for more than a decade and some are not well and deserve to receive medical treatment and be with their families. The Prime Minister must show compassion.–Din Merican
looes74 - September 18, 2011 at 7:32 pm
Din,
You think Najib would do it. Else you subscribe Kansas song ” Hold On”. Another Kansas song for you! Kinda hooked up to it. Not sure if Bean suk would like it
looes74 - September 18, 2011 at 9:35 pm
Din,
Again the lyrics! We need to proof the freedom we want! If we need to fight for it ot just sunk BN to acheive the freedom. Enjoy! Kansas!
Can I tell you something
Got to tell you one thing
If you expect the freedom
That you say is yours
Prove that you deserve it
Help us to preserve it
Or being free will just be
Words and nothing more
looes74 - September 18, 2011 at 9:37 pm
Our PM have not done anything to prove his sincerity but on the contrary had come out with “slogans” only, witness
1. 1Malaysia
We support the concept of 1Malaysia but lately the PM himself had
failed to identify himself as “Malaysian First”
2. Parliamentary Select Committee on Elections
What happened?
3. Bersih 2.0
“I will approve a stadium for use if the walk is cancelled” or words to
that effect. The objective of the freedom walk is to present a
memorandum to DYMM YDPA. After the event, the venue is twisted to
Shah Alam Stadium and the ban on Bersih 2.0 is still maintained.
4. State Institutions
MACC, PDRM and the Judiciary is used as instruments against the
people and despite all the evidence of inpropriety the AG is still is still
wielding his power of persecution.
5. Deaths in the hand of PDRM & MACC
Remember Teoh Beng Hock and Ahmad Sarbaini, Kugan et el (may
their sould rest
6. Replacing ISA with 2 oppressive laws
The best democracy is the joke of the month if it is not so saddening
Dear PM, do you have anything more to offer to your fellow 1Malaysians?
in peace)
Jeffrey Lim - September 18, 2011 at 11:44 pm
“Dear PM, do you have anything more to offer to your fellow 1Malaysians” Jeffrey Lim
Yes, Jeffrey. One more Emergency to replace the repealed three.
This PM can pull out rabbits or doves from any hat!
Sam01 - September 19, 2011 at 9:29 am
In Islam when you speak you must speak the truth, when you make a promise you must keep it and when you are given trust you must not betray it. Three promises have been made so far. One on Scholarships for all Students who got or will get 9As, allow Bersih to hold its gatering in a Stadium and three abolish ISA without replacing it with a similar Act. Only time will tell.
Anonymous - September 19, 2011 at 12:42 pm