The ISA is a draconian instrument that curtails and violates all fundamantal rights. Necessarily its use – if such legislation were not repealed – should be sparing and only under the most convincing circumstances of credible proof that the persons detained are justifiably detained.

The ISA detentions of Reporter Tan Hoon Cheng and MP Theresa Kok show an almost cavalier attitude on the part of those who invoke ISA to the need for credible proof.

Theresa was detained for 6 days, reporter Tan, after detention of 16 hours, in each case, police explained that there was no reason to detain the further. Was there a reason to detain them in the first place? Upon release Tan told reporters ‘I still don’t know why I was detained under ISA,’ raising questions whether the police knew so or merely just took the line to arrest first at the first complaint by certain groups and investigate later rather than investigate first, and if there were credible evidence and reasonble suspicion of threat, arrest thereafter.

This is one of Datuk Zaid’s complaint of how authorities misuse the ISA by putting cart before the horse and using it as an instrument for investigation!

Is this misconceived way of invoking the draconian ISA due to police operating outside oversight of the Home Minister or the Home Minister does not understand how ISA is supposed to work or both ?

One thing is certain is that the ISA is not intended, as Home Minister alleged, to extend protection to the detainees from attacks of those rightly coming under the fit and proper category of within contemplation of the ISA but who nevertheless not detained in travesty of justice.

Continuing from my preceding posting, Malaysiakini’s Athi Veeranggan | Sep 19, 08 7:32pm have reported , “a Penang group comprising 15 people calling itself ‘Concern Citizens’ lodged a police report against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for creating “instability, disharmony and disorder” over his Sept 16 plan to seize power. Group spokesperson Wan Abidin Zain claimed that Anwar’s relentless pursuit to take Putrajaya from BN’s grasp was “undemocratic, immoral and irresponsible”. The group, comprising about 15 people, rapped Anwar of being selfish and inconsiderate by embarking to grab power last Tuesday, causing Malaysians to press the panic button fearing that the country was about to descent into unrest and uncertainty.
The group claimed that some parents did not even send their children to school and many went on a buying spree to stock up essential household goods. “Anwar creating a near chaotic situation and panic among Malaysians. He posed a threat against the country’s economy and shook the confidence of foreign investors. “He triggered a political crisis and stalemate on Sept 16,” said Wan Abidin, calling on the police to investigate Anwar for sedition and causing public disorder.”

Now please note this fits in very well – hand and glove – with what the Prime Minister had said on last Wednesday that Anwar was a threat to the country’s economy and security.

So even if the PM said ISA won’t be used, will other repressive laws be used by the police to arrest DSAI first and investigate later?

If this is done DSAI can forget about his cross over scheme even when Parliament resumes session on 13th October.

An arrest of DSAI will throw a wet blanket on whosever intending to cross over to PR under his leadership.

You will note RPK was detained under ISA because reports were lodged by certain Islamic groups against him for insulting religion. Theresa was arrested because PPIM and Pewaris lodged reports against her.

Even as far back as 2003 Umno Youth today lodged a police report against malaysiakini over a letter which was published on the website on Jan 9 allegedly questioning Malay special rights, instill hatred towards the government in non-Malay Malaysians etc.

This unhealthy trend of lodging police reports to settle scores is not confined to UMNO youth or groups sympathetic to BN but also the Opposition including DAP. Everyone filed a report against Ahmad Ismail’s racist remarks reported by Sin Chew – not just MCA, Gerakan but the DAP as well. So tit for tat Utusan would report and police reports by relevant interest group would lodge reports against Theresa Kok or reporter Tan.

What kind of society have we become? Supposing now for a political motive I want to fix someone well and good. It is sory easy to generate Police Reports against target by using certain groups, they declare they are hurt by what has been said or done, and presto a few days later, he is arrested (for investigations)!

How do we solve this problem of the intrument of police report and police action being constantly used to settle scores including political scores and mediate conflicts including political conflicts?

Everyone wants to be a cry baby : my race or my religion is offended by what you say. Now the Penang group’s report against DSAI is even more abstract and contentious – he’s “creating a near chaotic situation and panic among Malaysians. He posed a threat against the country’s economy and shook the confidence of foreign investors. He triggered a political crisis and stalemate on Sept 16.”

If everyone likes to be a cry baby and is helped by police to assuage his hurt feelings or other grievances, then every one else too is not going to be safe per the 4 conditions I set out in my earlier posting Today at 07: 08.03 above.