ISA Abuse?
It is interesting to see the abuse of Malaysia’s Internal Security Act (ISA) being used to arrest bloggers and reporters under the guise of national security. It defies logic that these sad folks can be equated to terrorists, communists and religious deviants. I reserve my sympathies for later.
But what is more interesting is that being detained under ISA is fast becoming a status symbol for defiance against the powers that be. People no longer feared being detained and questioned about national security, knowing that the media waiting outside will always be on the look-out for any alleged wrong-doings by the cops.
Today on TV, that Kickdefella guy was released from detention, and the first thing that struck me was that he started posing for the cameras, thumbs-up and all. This was promptly followed up with an interview. And all this does is raise the profile of this guy, which will result in more blog-hits in the next few week. Who know, a nationwide tour or even a book deal might even follow soon. Now, he is an instant celebrity.
Some of you might scream “Wait a minute, that’s not fair. He’s been detained illegally and this is a clear abuse of justice”. “He might even have been abused and tortured and forced to signed a confession he didn’t want”. Yada-yada-yada… all well and good coming out from the mouths of our so-called social superheroes.
But being detained under ISA ultimately goes to whose benefits? It seems that only “patriots” worth his or her salt are being detained under the ISA, and you are only able to go up higher the political and social justice platforms if you have been detained.
It is a trend for political activist to get noticed. Anwar has done it, so has Guan Eng and Tian Chua. The Hindraf four will probably get their day in the papers too once they are released. I am betting Teresa Kok, now that she is an ISA alumni, will begin to take centrestage on a different level. With due respect, Teresa have been the lone warrior for local issues for the longest time, but being detained under ISA will give her the clout and the experience of an actual injustice done to her. Or at least, she has something extra to talk about.
So why ask for ISA abolishment at this time when the detainees themselves can abuse ISA to their own benefits? What will be the loss to the detainees when they are released? After all, you deserve that break from the outside world and the rest will do you good for the next few months. It is hardly bad… bad thing, is it? Especially when you get to see yourself printed on posters demanding your release, and people holding vigil for you across the country, cheering your name. And now that you are famous, maybe you will finally get your due attention after years in the political or social wilderness.
Look at where the former alumni. Anwar is dreaming himself the premiership, while Guan Eng is the head of state for Penang. I have the suspicion that Anwar is making it his hobby to be detained any way he can, ISA or otherwise, so that he gets to raise his hand to the photographers when he is released. A black eye would be a bonus; he will be able to milk it as much as possible, as well as get international coverage. Pimping for publicity, when you have nothing else to offer, I would say.
ISA is a bad thing? If there is a silver lining to a dark cloud, nothing comes close to the detention under ISA. No longer it is feared, it is not like it is Guantanamo Bay per se. Get detained for a few days, your whole political career is guaranteed.
So go on, practice your signature thumbs up in front of the mirror. Who knows one day you get to be invited to join that elite group of individuals who has been detained under the ISA. Good luck, fellow warriors.
Don’t forget to bring your toothbrush.
Gopal Raj Kumar aka Advocate said,
September 21, 2008 at 12:46 am
There was a time when civil disobedience that culminated in detention under an act similar to the ISA was a powerful too to render the system ineffective because of the sheer numbers form the widest possible spectrum of society that engaged in acts of civil obedience. It was called Sathyagrah by Mahatma Gandhi the Indian indpenendence leader who used it effectively to force change in his country.
Today and in recent times it has been used by people simply seeking change without the substance or moral authority to back that call for change. Anwar and the opposition had their opportunity in March 2008 and failed. Their push now sends an ambiguos message to those that supported them then.
Instead of a positive and total commitment to that change they called for, people are ambivalent as to their commitment to these same characters who seek change.
The Anwar Pakatan coalition has introduced an element of uncertainty and volatility into the equation making a bad situation worse. All of this in pursuit of power. Anwar is a man in a hurry to go nowhere.
He is backed by a bunch of groupies who are unaware of his policies because he has no specific policies and has failed to cost any of these to demonstrate how he would be able to fund these.
There may be dischord and disatisfaction with the BN but it is unfortunately not good enough a reason to change to Anwar. Thats like throwing out the baby with the bathwater. Counter productive.
If you don’t have the ISA you then won’t have the ability to control the kind of insurgencies that you will face in a place like Malaysia. And history has adequate examples of what that could be.
Think before you make broad statements about issues you do not fully understand. That could be your greatest contribution to change
gilamonster71 said,
September 21, 2008 at 2:06 am
True. No one can claim to have a full understanding to all the issues. What I am saying now is that ISA detention is beginning to fail in its purpose to curb threats to national security, and is now no longer an instrument that puts fear in people. Some people expect to be detained under the ISA after testing the boundaries. The prospect of being detained may even spur them to challenge more, as at the end of the day, they will have their day in the limelight.
ISA is now abused by people to provide further ammunition against the government while increasing the detainees profile. In other times, not many would have given these folks the time of day.