Armed of the Quill (AFTQ) Malaysia welcomes the government’s decision to repeal the whole of Malaysia Internal Security Act (ISA) and also to study in detail a number of acts adopted by the colonial legacy as one the right steps to improve the level of democracy in this country.
We think these measures meet the needs of the people who are able to restore the rule of law as respects to the Federal Constitution which gives freedom to every citizen. This is because these acts themselves were seen as contrary to the provisions of the Constitution itself that impedes the democratic practices.
AFTQ is a non-governmental organization based in Oslo, Norway and still new in Malaysia is established on the basis of belief and the struggle for freedom of speech and the right to choose. We also expect the efforts to repeal this law should be done promptly, systematically and vigorously while the people want to see a change in the attitude of the Malaysian government for being more mature and dynamic in the respect for human rights in order for peace to be preserved.
We are also looking forward to see the development efforts to draft new laws to replace the colonial laws which were seen as lagging behind in the country that want to achieve a developed nation status by 2020. However, we hope that the new law would not be viewed as a change of ‘dress’ in the name only with the laws component still remain intact behind it.
The point is that new laws must be fair and always ensure the protection of human rights for every individual in this country that guaranteed under the Constitution of Malaysia.
AFTQ Malaysia also welcomes the Malaysian government plans to draft a law pertaining to the terrorism, such as terrorist act being practiced in some countries like the U.S. Patriot Act. However, element of studies to draft them must always prioritise the human rights and humanity issues in order to ensure no one was victimized.
Nevertheless, AFTQ Malaysia hopes the government’s announcement today could solve all the pressing arena of power abuse of speech including the press freedom in this country. We welcome the government initiative to examine a comprehensive and to improve the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 and Police Act 1967 that had been seen by local and international communities as acts that limit the freedom of people to speak up and to write.
However, AFTQ Malaysia hopes that some level committee of Parliament or a Royal Commission should be formed for this purpose to be fair and consists of representatives from government, opposition, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, social activists, legal experts and academic experts, who can sit together to write the Acts for the national interest and free from political pressure and government branches intervention.
AFTQ Malaysia believes the mutual collaboration regardless of different ideologies and beliefs can be achieved through cooperation between all groups of people in changing the landscape of constitutional democracy in the country. Changes measured at this young stage may be viewed as a stepping stone to something more drastic in the future with all these promises fulfilled in a short period of time. Therefore, the government will be seen as a rendering its sincere commitment to the people in this country.
AFTQ Malaysia assumes that this change of attitude as a victory for all and not just a achievement for the government alone. This is because the efforts to press the government to consider the repeal and review of action have long been proclaimed by the various parties in the country. Therefore, national interest should prevail in the success and this victory of the people should later lead the country towards becoming a more progressive in the development of civilization and to be a good example to other countries.
Shaharul Anwar Shafie
Rep Armed for the Quill (AFTQ) Malaysia
AFTQ Asia Tenggara
http://www.armedforthequill.com
