INTI Orion.com

Time and history have collectively proven that human rights will be violated no matter what.  In an extreme scenario, human rights abuses will still take place even if God came down and gave a ‘I have a commandment’ speech. When you are in power, you get to make the calls, even if these mean hurting some people.

So, in Malaysia, the government is in power. It gets to make the calls. It gets to implement the Internal Security Act (ISA) 1960. This is a preventive detention law that empowers the Home Minister to order detention on anyone who has posed a threat to the national security, maintenance of essential services, and economic life. The origin of the law dates back to 1948 where the emergency laws were created to combat the Malaysian Communist Party. However, once the communist influence ended, the law stayed back and was vested within Article 149 of the Malaysian Constitution. Once detained, the detainee will be subjected to 60 days without any form of communication to the outside world. After the 60 days are up, the detainee may be released or detained yet again for a period of two years in the Kamunting Detention Centre. This time; however, family members are allowed to visit. Besides the denial of legal justice, the detainee will be subjected to torture which includes lengthy hours of interrogation and physical assaults. The two year term so to say can be renewed.

Democracy means the rule of the people. It is almost always executed by elected leaders. But when there is a discrepancy, people should be allowed to voice their stand. If this freedom of expression is infringed upon, then there is no democracy. The right to speak out is under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. If you are a Malaysian, you will be terrified to say anything on religion, race, the Agong, and the special privileges for fear of being locked up and stowed away even if the problem were to be any one of these aspects. As I write this post, I am also careful not to say anything ignorant that might be misconstrued. The law was clearly enacted to keep peace within the nation but quieting people down can be disastrous. Disappointment and frustration are two major ingredients for unrest and tension. Hamas was born because they lost faith in the ruling party; Fatah’s fight against Israeli occupation. Sometimes, silent people may be more dangerous than buffoons who can’t stop talking. No terrorist organization was formed because a guy went up on stage and declared his dream of becoming a terrorist. It is done in silence. Suddenly, a volcano erupts and destroys everything in its path. Isn’t it better for the government to know what people think than being left to guess?