Anti 'ISA 2.0' protest at Parliament, deputy minister receives memo
A group of about 30 people gathered outside of Parliament today in protest over amendments to Prevention of Crime Act (PCA) which effectively brings back indefinite detention without trial.
Representatives from Suaram and Abolish ISA Movement(GMI) as well as other activists shouted slogans asking for the withdrawal of the proposed 'draconian' law.
They also handed over a memorandum to Pakatan Rakyat MPs asking them to reject the bill to amend the PCA.
At the protest were also those from Centre of Independent Journalism, students, Bersih 2.0, and Lawyers for Liberty.
Bersih 2.0 leader S. Ambiga said that there are serious flaws in the law.
"Where is the prime minister to explain why we need this? I don't buy this thing about crime. Our existing laws are sufficient," she said.
Ambiga said that it was a pre-election gimmick to do away with the EO and ISA. "Why should we believe they won't use it against political opponents?"
Later, the group filtered into the parliament lobby and held a sit-down protest demanding to see the Home Minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is expected to table the Bill for its second reading today.
There was a brief tussle when a Parliament security staff told one of the protesters, Suaram's Syukri Razab, that he is not allowed to wear a red anti-PCA headband. He later removed it but did not budge from his seat on the floor.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Wan Junaidi Tunku Jaafar then received the memorandum from the group, which included GMI's head Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh.
Wan Junaidi told reporters he cannot comment on the memo as he has not read it. He also said that the decision on whether to withdraw the bill is not his alone to make.
The memorandum asked for the Government to withdraw the Bill.
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