Najib rapped for denying people’s role in ISA repeal
(Harakah Daily) – National laureate A Samad Said has taken prime minister Najib Razak to task for refusing to acknowledge it was the people’s struggle for the abolishment of the Internal Security Act that prompted the latter to announce its repeal last week.
“For the past 54 years, they never did think of abolishing the ISA. Suddenly, they received an inspiration and claimed it was not due to the demands especially from the youths who could no longer see the act in existence,” said the activist Pak Samad (right) during a youth gathering in his honour at Central Market yesterday.
He was reacting to a statement by Najib that his decision to repeal the ISA and other similar laws was “a decision made by the Barisan Nasional government because we listened to Malaysians who want this change”, and not due to the role played by anti-ISA activists.
According to Pak Samad, Najib could not have made such an announcement without pressure.
“The Prime Minister over the last two, three days announced, ‘Oh, it was us, we ourselves abolished ISA’, but did not say it was those who pushed (for ISA’s repeal) that had led it to change. If there were no pressure, I don’t think (ISA will be abolished) as it is a very useful tool to suppress the people,” he said.
He also reminded that the ISA had been defended over the last 54 years by UMNO and Barisan Nasional.
But in spite of denying their role, said Pak Samad, it was still a victory for the youth.
‘Who defended ISA?’
Earlier, PAS information chief Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man chided UMNO and hitherto pro-ISA leaders for claiming credit over the notorious act’s abolishment, and made comparison to UMNO leaders’ denial of non-UMNO and left-wing fighters who had struggled for the country’s independence.
“Where is the recognition to the contribution of those who had all along fought for ISA’s abolishment?” asked Tuan Ibrahim.