Only one BN MP signs petition for debate on ISA


Only one BN MP signs petition for debate on ISA
Fauwaz Abdul Aziz
Oct 23, 08 4:19pm
Malaysiakini

One Barisan Nasional member of parliament was among 76 other MPs who signed an opposition-initiated petition calling for a debate of the review and repeal of the Internal Security Act (ISA) in the Dewan Rakyat when it reconvenes after the Deepavali break.

Revealing this today, Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) said while it is “historic” that as many as one-third of all MPs inked their support for the debate, the signatures did not reflect the public pronouncements of several top leaders of Barisan component parties who have called for a review of the preventive detention law.

“I am disappointed that up until now, only one Barisan Nasional MP has been willing to support this letter to the prime minister (Abdullah Ahmad Badawi), as this is not a commitment to abolish the ISA… but only a call to debate whether the ISA should be reviewed or repealed.”

Lim declined to reveal the identity of the sole Barisan MP who had signed the petition.

The DAP leader said this at a press conference held at Parliament lobby today. Lim was flanked by Kamaruddin Jaffar (PAS-Tumpat) and Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (PKR-Machang) and a dozen other Pakatan MPs.

The petition – the first of two on the issue that will be submitted soon to Abdullah who, as prime minister, decides the order of motions to be deliberated by the Dewan Rakyat – is the work of a parliamentary caucus set up to effect the release of Teresa Kok (DAP-Seputeh) from ISA detention.

Kok was detained for a week in mid-September under the ISA, ostensibly in relation to claims that she had gotten involved in moves to stop or lower the volume of azans (calls to prayer) from certain mosques. Both Kok and the said mosques have denied the allegations.

Following Kok’s release on Sep 19, the caucus has instead focused on the complete abolition of the ISA.

Lim noted that the situation does not bode well for MCA and Gerakan, whose top leaders have called for a review of the ISA, that their MPs had not shown more support for the petition.

Lim said the failure of these two parties to translate the resolutions made at recent annual conferences – to push for a review of the ISA – would be tantamount to betraying their delegates.

“It means they have betrayed the mandate of the annual MCA and Gerakan delegates’ conference,” Lim said, adding that 74 Pakatan MPs signed the petition. The signatures of the remaining Pakatan MPs could not be obtained as they were overseas at the time.

BN MPs ‘afraid’ to show support

Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah) later revealed that 23 Barisan MPs and cabinet ministers who were approached had refused to sign the petition.

“Some said while they personally agreed with our action, they did not dare to place their signature because they have not received any instructions from the top (Barisan leadership) regarding the matter,” said Johari Abdul (PKR-Sungai Petani).

Kok, who submitted the motion to debate the ISA, said the “oppression” of even MPs by the authorities using the act should be looked at seriously by both Barisan and Pakatan parliamentarians.

“Members of parliament must defend their rights and integrity as elected representatives,” she said.

On another matter, Lim said he would like to meet with Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar to seek clarification regarding the revocation of Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader P Waythamoorthy’s passport.

Hindraf yesterday showed documents allegedly showing Waythamoorthy’s passport had been revoked by the Malaysian authorities.

Following the ‘disclosure’, Lim called for Syed Hamid to be referred to the Dewan Rakyat’s Special Privileges Committee for lying to the House.

Syed Hamid, however, was reported today to have said he – responding to moves by “relevant authorities” to cancel Waythamoorty’s passport – had directed that there be no such revocation so that Waythamoorthy could travel back to Malaysia freely.

He also lambasted Lim for claiming otherwise.

Still on the issue of Hindraf, Lim said there have been no additional facts or developments to warrant banning Hindraf if no reason had been uncovered in the past several months.

On the controversy surrounding the RM2.3 billion Eurocopter deal, Lim called for the Public Accounts Committee headed by Azmi Khalid (BN-Padang Besar) to work overtime in ensuring its investigations into the matter would be completed so that the issue could be debated in Parliament before it adjourns in December.

(2) Only one BN lawmaker supports ISA debate
The Malaysian Insider
By Shannon Teoh

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 — A Barisan Nasional MP and two independents are among 77 mostly opposition legislators who have so far signed a petition to the Prime Minister calling for a debate in Parliament to review or repeal the Internal Security Act.

The anti-ISA parliamentary caucus did not, however, reveal the name of the BN MP, but chairman Lim Kit Siang of the DAP said he hopes to get more MPs from the BN to sign the petition and make it a bipartisan effort.

Lim told reporters in the Parliament lobby today that 77 MPs had signed a petition calling for Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to prioritise a motion to debate the review and repeal of the Internal Security Act when the House reconvenes next Wednesday.

“This includes one BN MP, two independents and 74 Pakatan Rakyat MPs,” the Ipoh Timur MP said, explaining later that other PR legislators were out of town and unable to sign the petition.

He also revealed that the two independents were Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui and Eric Enchin Majimbun, the MPs from SAPP, which recently exited the BN coalition.

“If more than a third of MPs show their desire to debate this issue, then the Prime Minister must make it a top priority if parliamentary democracy has any meaning here. If he says no, he is completely irresponsible.

“I regret that only one BN MP has supported the motion,” the DAP parliamentary leader said, adding that it was not even a motion to abolish the ISA but merely to debate it.

Caucus secretary Fong Po Kuan also stated that 23 BN MPs had been approached so far to sign the petition but only one agreed.

PKR Sungai Petani MP Johari Abdul said that “some personally agreed but did not dare sign as they needed to see what those above had to say. Maybe in three or four days they will change their mind.”

“At their national delegates conferences, both Gerakan and MCA called for a repeal of the ISA. By not supporting this petition their ministers and MPs have betrayed the trust of their delegates,” Lim added.

He also threw a challenge to Gerakan and MCA MPs, saying he hoped they would prove him wrong.

“I will willingly retract my statement if they sign the petition,” he said.

PKR strategist Saifuddin Nasution Ismail added that the debate was important as the law clashes with universal values of justice and one must be given rights such as a fair trial and right of appeal.

“These are clearly not available in this Act. If this issue cannot be discussed in Parliament, then I do not know where else,” he said.

Pas secretary-general Datuk Kamaruddin Jaafar recalled that Datuk Bung Mokhtar (BN-Kinabantangan) had raised the issue of the ISA and it had caused a big debate in Dewan Rakyat.

“This is because it is such a hot topic so there is no reason for the government to deny the desire of such a large number of MPs,” he said.

  1. #1 by riversandlakes on Thursday, 23 October 2008 - 5:16 pm

    What’s new? They are No Action Talk Only lamers.

  2. #2 by wanderer on Thursday, 23 October 2008 - 5:46 pm

    Damn these loud mouths from MCA, MIC and Gerakan. They don’t even have the courage to sign a petition to debate on ISA, an issue they claimed to find it abhorring. Put your money where your mouth is, barking dogs!!
    Abullah, if he has any decency left in him, should allow all the BN MPs to act whether to back or not to this petition… according to their conscience. Anything less, simply demonstrate the insincerity of PM to reform unjust laws, used freely and unashamedly by the HM on innocents citizens.

  3. #3 by CSKUEH on Thursday, 23 October 2008 - 5:49 pm

    Gerakan and MCA only pay lip service. What’s all your big talk before about the ISA issue and now you are not taking any action.
    Remember this, “Action speaks louder than words”.

  4. #4 by js on Thursday, 23 October 2008 - 5:51 pm

    useless MCA & Gerakan. Chinese should reject this party completely.

  5. #5 by taiking on Thursday, 23 October 2008 - 6:19 pm

    Any which way its good for pakatan. If those useless appendages of bn signed, then their signatures would lend a multi-party voice to the petition which is a good thing. If they dont, then pakatan can very well make a monkey of them for not acting when it matters; for blabbing too much.

    They are a lost lot. They dont know what to do anymore. MCA claimed that they must harden up their stand on national issues. They say a lot of stuff. Strong words were spat no doubt. But strong words without action is a reflection of flaccidity of their hearts and minds.

    We shall just regard them as loud speakers of the 70’s redifussion type: i.e. a brown box hanging on the wall and blurting out a lot of noise.

  6. #6 by Barang Naik on Thursday, 23 October 2008 - 6:32 pm

    Biasalah, you dare to challenge or against your boss ? loss the rice bowl is small matter, the worst part was you will end up with si botak’s last client in Kamunting before you can even sign a petition to abolish the ISA!

  7. #7 by Hue on Thursday, 23 October 2008 - 6:38 pm

    Mr Lim

    I doubt if Comical Albar will want to meet you to discuss the issue of Waytha Moorthy’s passport. In the event he refuses please raise this matter in Parliament. Ask him how he can refute the contents of the letter sent by the British Home Office to Moorthy’s solicitors in London.

  8. #8 by dawsheng on Thursday, 23 October 2008 - 6:39 pm

    “useless MCA & Gerakan. Chinese should reject this party completely.”

    Why only Chinese? Every decent Malaysians should reject any BN component parties completely.

  9. #9 by yhsiew on Thursday, 23 October 2008 - 7:17 pm

    “At their national delegates conferences, both Gerakan and MCA called for a repeal of the ISA. By not supporting this petition their ministers and MPs have betrayed the trust of their delegates,” Lim added.
    ====================================================

    Gerakan and MCA are only good at “sandiwara”.

    Voters do well to stay away from these weak parties who are enslaved to their big-brother UMNO.

  10. #10 by baoqingtian on Thursday, 23 October 2008 - 7:48 pm

    Lack of response from BN is an endorsement to continue ISA ( I SIMPLY ARREST). All are cowards! They claim to support the abolition of ISA, but so far they only paid lip service to the idea.

  11. #11 by mauriyaII on Thursday, 23 October 2008 - 9:57 pm

    The call for review or the repeal of the ISA by the MCA and the GERAKAN leaders were just gimmicks to show their members that they are not in favour of the ISA and its blatant misuse to detain innocent citizens.

    These loud mouths were just fishing for votes in their respective party elections. Now that they have already been elected to the high posts in the party, they have gone back to sucking up to the UMNOputra goons. Lapdogs do not change.

    A proverb says that you cannot straighten a dog’s tail by whatever means. Please don’t expect the lapdogs in the MCA, GERAKAN and the MIC to CHANGE their myopic, selfish towkay mentality.

    If they had a grain of self-respect, intergrity and love for their members’ interest, they should at least sign the petition to call for a debate on the need for the ISA.

    If they are still scared of the UMNO bullies and feel emasculated to stand for what is right, then they will surely face unmitigated disaster in the next General Elections. They might as well not stand against any Pakatan Rakyat candidate. They might even lose their deposit.

    People are sick and tired of gutless monkeys and traitors.

  12. #12 by sikui on Thursday, 23 October 2008 - 10:42 pm

    “some personally agreed but did not dare sign as they needed to see what those above had to say.” These are very obedient and faithful MCA and Gerakan dogs waiting their UMNO masters orders!!!!!! Sit they will sit…whack tails tails will whack….order to bark will bark…I feel shame to be with these dogs !!!!

  13. #13 by rubini on Thursday, 23 October 2008 - 11:27 pm

    The MCA, MIC & rest of dopers are just politicians without a spine. All talk & no action. Change can only happen when u stand up state your principles. These fellows have NO PRINCIPLES because they only PUPPETS, only real human being have principles.

    Once a long time ago, there was a Slave who rose to challenge the Romans on slavery & died to uphold the principle that all human being are born free. His name was Spartacus.

    Ours politicians speak from tip of their tongue.

  14. #14 by StevePCH on Friday, 24 October 2008 - 2:16 am

    MIC ? only M.I.C.K.E.Y Mouse … SV aka MIC oredi useless in and out. Gerakan … Gelak …. and MCA , just can’t imagine CSL helming it again. Maybe the kangkung team truly spells the END.

    Doomed !!!

  15. #15 by asra on Friday, 24 October 2008 - 4:21 am

    Dear YB Kit,

    Have been always observing all the political parties in Malaysia. This great nation of ours need a total restructuring in all aspects from governing to opposing.

    The government no need to say they have to go get rid of all the KJ’s and Pak Lah’s that exist there.

    As for the opposition i seriously dont understand why the hurry and fuss of becoming the new government. I was all excited when Anwar gave the date Sept 16th I was amazed knowing the date has a historical event behind it and for the second time history was supposedly to be created that is the end of the BN rule since 1955.

    Instead of all this fuss what the opposition should have done is built confidence in the rakyat after all the two third majority is already gone. All the opposition need to do is to form a stronger partnership which everyone knows is not that firm and strong as yet. Concentrate and service their constitutions with all their mights and hearts. If you guys do this believe me you will be the next government and BN the opposition.

    Its fun watching how BN is the opposition in the 5 states. Changes are good but we are not progressing with the changes at the moment. Can one person just stand up and think of the odd 30 million ppl in the country which at this moment is depending on the opposition to cater their best.

    We really need to move forward. Tell DSAI to just forget the PM seat for the moment and make sure the two third belongs to the opposition.

    Lastly how to become a DAP member.

  16. #16 by just a moment on Friday, 24 October 2008 - 5:58 am

    Simply put, those who signs the petition, see’s value in individual (as human). Those who did not, sees themselves as animals who believed in cells and cages.

  17. #17 by monsterball on Friday, 24 October 2008 - 7:18 am

    MCA ..MIC…Gerakan…pimps and balls carriers are feed well by UMNO now??

  18. #18 by ctc537 on Friday, 24 October 2008 - 7:47 am

    The petition was initiated by the PR and, needless to say, most BN MPs won’t endorse it for they have to toe the party lines. Should they give their support this would mean they (the government) admit their abuse of power.
    Our parliament isn’t like that of the USA or the British ones where the ruling party MPs are allowed independent decision when voting for bills to be passed in the House. Hope that the Pakatan Rakyat don’t waste their time doing something futile. MCA, GERAKAN, MIC and all other BN component parties cannot support your petition for obvious reasons.
    Anyway, it’s for the Pakatan to come out with the petition to put those parties in a bad light since their leaders declared publicly their abhorrence of the ISA in party meetings.
    So, my conclusion is that neither the Pakatan nor the BN is wrong. PR wants to gain score political points whereas BN wants to protest their interests. The only people who can right the wrongs are the rakyat. Think carefully before you cast your vote in general elections. Fair enough?

  19. #19 by chengho on Friday, 24 October 2008 - 8:14 am

    uncle Lim,

    when you want to retire ? your son already cm not like kj or mm.

  20. #20 by pakmang on Friday, 24 October 2008 - 9:05 am

    The MIC, Gerakan & MCA BN leaders are very busy to please the PM in-wating, no time to bother about ISA issue. They are still more particular to take care of their own rice bowl and power! Forget them lah!

  21. #21 by 318 on Friday, 24 October 2008 - 9:34 am

    to sign mean to lose vitamin M to them RM sign is more important then anything else

  22. #22 by malaysia-united on Friday, 24 October 2008 - 9:42 am

    MCA leaders are ‘running dog’. Talk very loud, but very afraid of their master!!!

    [deleted]

  23. #23 by 318 on Friday, 24 October 2008 - 9:56 am

    for gerakan as the pendatang n some of them asked gerakan to leave bn is the same as calling the gerakan to [deleted]

  24. #24 by Emily Pratt on Friday, 24 October 2008 - 12:25 pm

    The decision by M’sian to abandon “Dogs on Leash” component parties during March 8th, 2008 was an absolutely correct decision. No regrets.

  25. #25 by baochingtian on Friday, 24 October 2008 - 12:26 pm

    Talk is cheap nowadays mah especially when you’re in the ruling party. Semua boleh cakap. Gaya ada, action tak ada….

  26. #26 by frankyapp on Friday, 24 October 2008 - 12:50 pm

    Hey,Sabah MPs,what you guys doing ?Why you are waiting ? Make your desision now to support the opposition ISA debate.Now is the chance,do it man.It is good for every malaysian and the nation too. It’s also good for you guys.

  27. #27 by parameswara on Friday, 24 October 2008 - 1:41 pm

    mother goes to jail for trying to deliver a letter,
    6 year-old girl accompanies mother to jail.

    what an over-kill.

  28. #28 by Yee Siew Wah on Friday, 24 October 2008 - 3:49 pm

    It is a waste of time to talk to all these so called people represented component parties in BN. They are bunch of hypocrites and real cowards. Talk big but act like a mouse when face with reality and their Umno masters.
    Not even a single soul dare speak up or help on the arrest of the innocent people especially the 6 years old girl. What a pariah they have become. Hindraf in the first place is not even a party or oganisation. Just see how “efficient” and fast our “great” police force made the arrest. In just a jiffy. But what happen to all the crimes committed daily and the tons of reports lodged on our corrupted and racialistic politicians?? What actions????? Well, maybe “under investigations” as usual. After sometime all will be forgotten.
    MCA/MIC/Gerakan please close shop and get lost. Your community has had enough from you guys. A disgrace and shame to the community your claim to represent.

  29. #29 by Thinking Two on Friday, 24 October 2008 - 4:24 pm

    Can a liar tell another person not to tell liar!

  30. #30 by Thinking Two on Friday, 24 October 2008 - 4:34 pm

    When a police cannot arrest a thief that’s mean the police is also guilty of something.

  31. #31 by Thinking Two on Friday, 24 October 2008 - 4:37 pm

    Some people can talk but no action.

    But these people can’t even talk properly!

  32. #32 by Jong on Friday, 24 October 2008 - 9:55 pm

    They are not fit to be Members of Parliament! Let’s bulldoze them out next election. Enough!

  33. #33 by draken001 on Friday, 24 October 2008 - 11:34 pm

    Quote: “I regret that only one BN MP has supported the motion,” the DAP parliamentary leader said, adding that it was not even a motion to abolish the ISA but merely to debate it.”

    What does this tell us? Those who dared not signed are showing up themselves for what they are – spineless elected representatives of the people who supported BN. Let this be a lesson for these people to think twice and with common sense vote them out in the next elections. Where is the conscience of these so-called elected representatives? If they truly have bravehearts they should bravely walked out and join forces with right-thinking people to forge a better future Malaysia than the present one that is plagued by a bunch of bigots.

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