Using ISA will not resolve conflicts, says Nik Aziz

PAS spiritual leader Datuk Seri Nik Aziz Nik Mat has labeled the proposal to the government to reintroduce the Internal Security Act (ISA), as suggestions from people who have ran out of things to talk about.

He said the brutal and uncivilized law is not the correct way to resolve conflicts as there are other laws that can be used instead.

He said Islam teaches three methods that are to be followed during times of conflict including explanation, using the method of reminding and debating.

“This is what Islam recommends. If all the discussion space have been utilised, legal channels are opted for. Even then, only through fair trial.

“The problem is, there is no open space for discussions, debate does not take place and fair trial is only a dream, instead, the ISA is sought to be used,” he said in a statement on his Facebook page.

The former Kelantan Menteri Besar asked: “Imagine if your own children are detained under ISA without being given the space to defend themselves, what will you feel at that time?”

The proposal for the government to bring back ISA was made by former Premier Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad in an interview in RTM2 last Wednesday.

Dr Mahthir had said that the ISA needs to be reintroduced to control some groups that attempt to create chaos in the country and make statements that incite racial sensitivities.

He said so when referring to the raid on the Bible Society of Malaysian and seizure of its bibles by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) that set many tongues wagging.

Dr Mahathir’s proposal was echoed by the Inspector General of Police, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar who has said he fully supports the reintroduction of ISA to ensure public safety in this country.

He had said that the current laws such as the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) is good but there is no harm of having additional laws such as the ISA.

“I am supportive of the ISA and any law that could assist the police in making the country safer.I am a law enforcement officer...of course I would hope for a law that can assist me in the line of duty.

“However, I abide by Parliament’s wishes in enforcing existing laws. On that note, I also hope the Prevention of Crime Act (PCA) would be introduced soon as well,” he had said.

The ISA was abolised last year and the last batch of eight detainees were released from Kamunting Detention Centre last week.