Abolish ISA

The government never expected such an overzealous respond from public and political party for using ISA to arrest 3 different people. A Chinese paper reporter, a politician (MP, Adun and State Senior Exco) and a blogger.

We can see from the public reaction and government respond to it as how government had step on area which turn into taboo since government had loosen restriction on freedom of speech. Government realized almost immediately after arresting the reporter that they have just step on a mine and the action was a stupid move and created such a huge criticism from all over the country, included Cabinet Ministers. To his dismay, the Home Minister Dato' Seri Syed Hamid Albar had to call for a press conference to explain to the nation on the obscure move, which end up becoming a laughing stock that the action was merely to protect the reporter.

12 September 2008 was the night that change public perception towards ISA. It was an Act that use to create fear among public, mostly to politician, so to obey to the government and to silence voices against government. It was so powerful and so efficient as it become a magic tool to make sure opposition doesn't cross the border.

However, this is the first time Malaysian stands together to ask the government to release the reporter, no doubt about that. Some Cabinet Ministers, President of MCA, Politician, NGOs, Opposition parties and even US government had demanded the same, free that reporter for she is not the right target to be arrested under ISA. That night, the nation stands together and it works! Government was under enormous pressure and the reporter was finally released after less than 24 hour under custody.

Next move is to save Teresa Kok, the politician. Of course, this is a more difficult mission because arresting her is obviously to please UMNO Malay. So we knew she will not be released as soon as the reporter. She "needs" to stay there a little bit longer to finish up the show. Pity her for becoming an actress without her own permission. But still, this time is largely different from Tun M era, this time even MCA and Gerakan demanded government to release Teresa Kok. Now the table turn, government soon realized that they have no full support from BN, and thus Teresa was released much sooner than 28 days which she is suppose to stay there.

Now Raja Petra isn't that lucky, he has no MCA or Gerakan backing, not because he is not a Chinese but he had put himself in the situation that he has ever ready to be arrested, under which ever Act, for that is his way to challenge the present government. He may stay there a little bit longer.

Now since the public noticed that their protest work so well, it is time for them to stand together one more time to ask the Act to be abolished. Recent MCA convention throughout the country, especially from MCA Selangor, had openly demand that ISA to be seriously reviewed or even better still to abolish it. No one know how strong is the new alliance form this time can really challenge the Act, but there would be no good chance other than this to pressure the government to act on the Act.

We must unify our strenght, from ruling coalition to opposition alliance, from individuals to NGOs, to organize a more strategic way to push through the common wish of all Malaysian, to abolish ISA. It is high time for all of us to work together for common goal, unlike PKR trying to seize power through defection that created uneasiness in the country. Let's forget about Anwar Ibrahim's dream to become PM and start working together for a better Malaysia.

A wish this time for Hari Raya and coming Deepavali.....that ISA WILL BE ABOLISHED