Friday, September 16, 2011

PM announces repeal of ISA, three Emergency proclamations

Certainly a big step in the right direction for Malaysia as the country celebrates Malaysia Day today, September 16.

Indeed, a happy Malaysia Day!

From The Star: PM announces repeal of ISA, three Emergency proclamations

KUALA LUMPUR: Several draconian laws including the ISA and the three Emergency proclamations are to be repealed under major civil liberty reforms announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Thursday.

The reforms include:

*Total repeal of the Internal Security Act

The legislation, introduced in 1960 in the wake of an armed insurgency by Communist rebels, gives the police wide-ranging powers to detain suspects indefinitely.

It will be replaced by a new law that incorporates far more judicial oversight and limits the powers of the police to detain suspect for preventive reasons.

37 people are currently being held under the ISA. There will be a six-month transition period while the new laws are introduced, after which their cases will be considered under the new legislation.

*Total repeal of the Emergency Ordinance

Introduced following race riots in 1969, the Emergency Ordinance, which allows suspects to be detained without charge for up to two years if permission is granted by a Minister.

This too will be replaced by a law that will not compromise on national security and terrorism while increasing democratic accountability and judicial oversight.

*Removal of annual renewal of press and publication permits


All licences will now remain valid indefinitely unless they are revoked, in common with broadcasting regulations in many Western nations.

*Government to review Section 27 of the Police Act 1967

The Malaysian constitution guarantees the right to freedom of peaceful assembly. The law requires police permission before gatherings can go ahead, including on private land such as stadiums. This law will now be reviewed to bring Malaysia in line with international standards while ensuring that the police retain the power to prevent violent scenes on the nation's streets.

A host of other laws, including those governing banishment and residence, will also be abolished or reviewed. Any law found to be no longer relevant or justifiable will be repealed.

Full text of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's speech.


Source: The Star

3 comments:

  1. Good to hear some great news to celebrate Malaysia Day and looking forward for them to be cemented asap before they got re-repealed. tQ HappySurfer for the info coz will as Bananaz stopped buying badnewspaper to go online but have not picked up the habit yet..haha. Happy Holidays.

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  2. hmmmm, good and bad but i think this is a right move.. i wonder if it's the pressure from the people, external pressure from rights organisations worldwide, or merely somebody is afraid he is gonna fall into the trap set by himself so better abolish that~~ :D

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  3. You are welcome, Bananaz! Happy holidays to you too.

    SK, everything combined, I'm sure but one thing is for sure. Polling Day is fast upon us. GE13 is close at hand. Have you registered to vote?

    Have you?

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