Beyond 51: PJ Vigil Week 22

It's been week 22nd since the 1st Vigil at Padang Timur opposite Amcorp Mall. Our last out door vigil was on 15th February 2009 (Week 19), where the police have set up road-block as early as 7.30pm on the road leading to the Tarmac Area (our usual vigil venue) to prevent diehard vigilers from assembling there. As such most of us adjourned to Lotus for drinks and fellowship. Week 20th (22/02/2009) and Week 21st (01/03/2009) vigil were held at Lotus function room.

There were mix reaction from the vigilers for having indoor vigils. Some says that we had lost the feel and atmosphere of comradeship/unity. Shin agreed to a certain extent(really misses those candle light) but what choice does we have? While others says that the police had actually pushes us to re-strategise our approach in our struggle to repeal the ISA, and it does. We are now had mature and we are more organised and focus in our struggle.

One of the SB gave credit to us being the most resiliance and sustained the longest period todate as far as protest is concern. No doubt we are not able to hold candle in public area, but each and every one of us over these 22 weeks has this little flame still burning in our heart eventhough we were confine indoor.

View the 9 part video below for those who not able to attend this Week 22.

Part 1: Gus brief on tonite programme and gives an overview on Anak Bangsa Malaysia.

Part 2: Jaya give a presentation on the history of ISA.

Part I was on What is ISA, Why and When is ISA enacted.

Internal Security Act 1960 (Act 82)

An Act to provide for:
- the internal security of Malaysia
- preventive detention
- the prevention of subversion
- the suppression of organised violence against persons and property in specified areas of MAlaysia.

Preamble to ISA
Wheras action has been taken and further action is threatened by a substantial body of persons both inside and outside Malaysia.
(1) To cause, and to cause a substantial number of citizens to fear, organized violence against persons and property; and
(2) To procure the alteration, otherwise than by lawful means, of the lawful Government of Malaysia by law established;

* AND WHEREAS the action taken and threatened is prejudicial to the security of MAlaysia;
* AND WHEREAS Parliament considers it necessary to stop or prevent that action;

PROVISIONS
* Prohibition of Organisations and Associations of a Political or Quasi-Military Character and Uniforms
* Powers of Preventive Detention
* Special Powers relating to Subversive Publications
* Control of Entertainments and Exhibitions
* Other Powers for the Prevention of Subversion
* Special Provisions relating to Security Areas

What is ISA?
* ISA is a preventive detention law in force in Malaysia.
* Any person may be detained by the police for up to 60 days without trial for an act which allegedly prejudices the security of the country.
* After 60 days, one may be further detained for a period of two years each, to be approved by the Minister of Home Affairs, thus making indefinite detention without trial.

Why Did The ISA Become Law?
* The precursor to the ISA was the Emergency Regulations 1948-1960 promugated by the British Colonial Regime to counter the then Communist Insurgence.
* The Emergency Ordinance was repealed on 31 July 1960.
* The ISA came into force on 1st August 1960.

Why Was The ISA Introduced?
* When the ISA was introduced in 1960, solemn promises were made in Parliament that the law will be used judiciously and only against communists, terrorists and subversives.

The Deputy Prime Minister (Tun Abdul Razak): 21 June 1960
" The Hon'ble Prime Minister and other Members of the Government, including myself, have made it quite clear on a number of occasions that, because the Emergency is to be declared at an end, the Government does not intend to relax its vigilance against the evil enemy who still remains as a threat on our border and who is now attempting by subversion to succeed where he has failed by force of arms. It is for this reason that this bill is before the house. It has two main aims:
* Firstly to counter subversion thoughout country and,
* Secondly, to enable the necessary measures to be taken on the border area to counter."

Part 3: Jaya continue with presentation.

"Let me make it quite clear once again that the object of detention is to safeguard the security of the country and not to punish persons for crime. A person is detained for what it is considered be may reasonably be expected to try to do but not for what he is proved beyond doubt to have done. He is detained because he represents a risk to the security of the country and not because he is a member of a lawful political party.

The Government has no desire whatsoever to hinder healthy democratic opposition in any way. This is a democratic country and the Government intends to maintain it is such. It is the enemies of democracy who will be detained."

Enche' D.R. Seenivasagam (Ipoh):

"Mr Speaker, Sir, the very strong objections to this Bill are on a number of grounds:
(1) preventive detention without proper safeguards;
(2) the Bill encompasses not only organised violence but it encompasses every citizen in this country, whether peaceful or otherwise;
(3) powers given to the Police are so wide, so terrifying, that every citizen of this country will be in constant fear, in constant and absolute fear throughout the days of his life so long as this Bill remains law"

"You pass this Bill, but remember that one day somebody else, perhaps, not as democratic as you are, may be sitting on that very Bench; and when that time comes you - perhaps not you but the children of those who today support this Bill - will say "My God! we regret the day we introduced this Bill into this House."

Part 4: Jaya continue with presentation.