PAS: Free or prosecute all ISA detainees to prove sincerity
By Melissa Chi, The Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 17 — PAS said all Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees should be released or tried in court if Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is sincere following his bold announcement to abolish the security law that allows for detention without trial.
Party information chief Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the move was important to help Najib regain the confidence and trust of the people and to show that the announcement was not just “talk” like his economic reforms.
“Even if they can’t be released immediately, PAS urge that the detainees be tried in court immediately so they can defend themselves if the government claims that they have proof that they are terrorists,” he said in a statement today.
“Najib must choose between the two options — whether they must be released or tried. In addition, PAS also demands that the government apologise to the ISA detainees following PM’s admittance that there are flaws in the draconian law, if he is truly sincere.
“Don’t be quick to push away the responsibility to apologise to the former leaders because they had drafted this cruel law. Instead, Najib should represent the past leaders to apologise to every ISA detainee because they are from the same group, which is Barisan Nasional,” Tuan Ibrahim said.
