Najib’s reforms ‘major steps’, says King
(The Malaysian Insider) – The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah said today Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s promise of reforms last year are “major steps” towards strengthening civil liberties and safeguarding the public’s fundamental rights and freedom.
Sultan Abdul Halim said the “repeal of legislation which were deemed to curb people’s freedom, such as the Internal Security Act 1960 (ISA)” as well as new laws and amendments would “preserve national security and prevent acts of violence and extremism.”
In his royal address to open the fifth and final session of the 12th Parliament, the Kedah ruler called on all parties, especially the young, to appreciate the freedom of the country and not compromise Malaysia’s sovereignty.
“It is Our wish that all parties, especially the younger generation, will strive to understand and appreciate the history of our nation’s independence which came about from the sacrifices of our founding fathers, and in so doing, value the freedom we now enjoy,” the King said.
The prime minister had announced a bipartisan parliamentary panel on electoral reforms in August last year, a month after tens of thousands flooded the city to call for free and fair elections.
The Barisan Nasional (BN) chief also promised the repeal of the ISA in a raft of reforms in his Malaysia Day address last September but later said it would only be done in this parliamentary sitting after two new replacement laws are drafted.
However, police have continued to use the ISA, which allows for detention without trial, most notably in a sweep of 13 suspected Islamic militants in Sabah last November.
Just days after Najib’s announcement, resistance began to surface, with political hardliners like Perkasa’s Datuk Ibrahim Ali calling on the prime minister to preserve the spirit of the ISA in the two new laws.
Opposition lawmakers and civil society groups such as the Bar Council have remained sceptical of the reform, expressing fears that the enactment of two new laws means the ISA is merely being repackaged.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein also insisted in November the ISA substitutes will continue to provide for preventive detention as practised in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia to fight terrorism.
But Najib said last month the replacement laws will demand a higher burden of proof before any arrests can be made as “we cannot be in the state of mind of just arresting anyone but must ask if the evidence can stand in the court of law.”
The prime minister kicked off his reform package in October after tabling the repeal of the Restricted Residence Act and the Banishment Act.
These reforms appear to be key concessions by Najib to win back middle Malaysia before polls expected this year.
His administration came under heavy fire for its clampdown on the July 9, 2011 Bersih rally for free and fair elections.
Police fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse tens of thousands of demonstrators in chaotic scenes which resulted in nearly 1,700 arrested, scores injured and the death of an ex-soldier.
