It's your 50th Birthday . . .

. . . ISA. Time to call it a day!

The Internal Security Act came into force on 1 August 1960. Similar to the US Patriot Act, the UK Terrorism Act and others, the ISA permits detention without trial of persons suspected of threatening national security. Unlike the other Acts, the ISA has no "sunset clause" and is not subject to judicial supervision. Nor are detainees under the ISA given the right to legal counsel.

10,662 people have been arrested under the ISA in the past 44 years, 4,139 were issued with formal detention orders and 2,066 were served with restriction orders governing their activities and where they live. In addition, 12 people were executed for offences under the ISA between 1984 and 1993. -- Figures provided in a written answer by former Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who was also Minister for Internal Security, to parliamentary opposition leader Lim Kit Siang, whose statement was quoted by AFP in news reports dated 3 Feb 2005. (source: Wikipedia)

The Malaysian Bar - Press Release: 50 years is more than enough: Abolish the ISA and other detention without trial and outdated security laws -- "As a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council from 2010-2013, Malaysia has committed herself to maintaining the highest standards of human rights.  This can only be achieved by removing all laws contravening basic human rights principles, such as ISA and other legislation that provide for detention without trial and restrictions in the free movement of peoples within our borders." Ragunath Kesavan, President of the Malayan Bar Council.