ABOLISHING ISA IS AN ACT OF BRAVERY

SALUTE to Najib for being brave and bold to abolish ISA in his Merdeka Speech, 15th September 2011. Undoubtedly, Opposition Parties had never expected Najib to have the political will to abolish ISA . ISA was seen as an instrument to curb popular movements that can create chaos and bring down the BN government.

Look at the lists of ISA Alumni - Kit Siang, Ibrahim Ali, Mat Sabu, Anwar Ibrahim, etc. They were all personalities who are unstoppable in their quest to bring down BN government. They were personalities who have the abilities to enggineer mass uprising, can create revolution , create chaos and havoc. Thus for BN to do away with ISA would mean doing something that even the Singapore government dared not do until today.It was unthinkable and it is an act of bravery by Najib who was branded by the opposition parties as a "play safe leader " 

Pakatan, as expected,  claimed credit for Najib's decision. Anwar is cautious of  alternative new law that would be enacted. Hisham said, he will look at USA and UK anti terrorism law deemed to be alternative to ISA, a useful tool against terrorism and Art Harun declares that now he is a rebel without a cause.

Najib may choose to hurry up to repeal ISA. If need be , Najib could call for a special parliament seating to enact an act of parliament to repeal ISA and to abolish annual renewal requirement for publishing permits.

However, Najib need not rush to enact new laws to replace ISA.

Laws are introduced because of trigger of events. British introduced ISA to combat communists terrorists. USA introduced ISA-like law after 911. Singapore choose to keep their ISA for reasons they know best.

Najib has no reason to enact alternative new law to replace ISA. Not for now. 

Malaysia dont have bloody revolutions experienced by Tunisia, Egypt and Libya . Not yet. So, any attempt to introduce new law to replace ISA will make Najib unpopular. Opposition parties will be able to seize the moment by organising road shows and demonstrations against the new law. Art Harun " a rebel without a cause" will then have a new cause to champion.

Lets wait and see. Let us trust the wisdom of the rakyat. Not everyone would welcome acts of terrorism and extremism. 

Najib should only act to introduce alternative law to replace ISA after unlikely events take place where properties are burned, people got killed, riots went uncontrolled and all businessmen cry foul and ask the government to intervene.

Until then, Najib have no reason to discuss or enact new alternative law to replace ISA or else Najib would risk loosing supports from those who admired him for abolishing ISA