Ianya Sah Aniaya

Source: Malaysiakini

Today, Zaid Ibrahim the de facto Law Minister resigns from his post. Many will dismiss his resignation since he's not an elected representative, a mere Senator appointed by the government by virtue of his post. To them, he's nothing as he does not represents the People unlike Rais Yatim for instance. Besides, he is accused of being involved in some controversies causing many to question his integrity.

Nonetheless, it is besides the point as he by virtue of his post (though it may seem as a token post) but he initiated the move towards redeeming the integrity of the Judiciary. Again, many perceived his act as an act to tarnish TDM's image who many believed caused the deterioration of the Judiciary in 1988.

Today, he resigns based on his belief that ISA shouldn't be a tool for the government to suppress one's freedom without due process of law. His background as a lawyer which looks upon freedom of an individual as paramount is shared by many not only within the legal fraternity. Oppressing laws should not be upheld or even use arbitrarily by the authority for whatever reasons. The arrest of the trio on Friday presumably among others to protect Islam is totally unacceptable.

The Mufti of Perlis himself is of the opinion that draconian law such as ISA is not necessary to protect Islam. We have many legislation which are more than appropriate to safeguard the sanctity of Islam. If it is proven that the Seputeh MP has transgressed the line then we have the court and only the court to ascertain her guilt and not through cowardly act by detaining her under the dreaded ISA. Through due process, her guilt will be proven or otherwise before a transparent process before the public. At least those who are detained will have the opportunity to defend themselves and not arbitrarily presumed guilty under ISA.

The authority, by resorting to ISA proves its inability to control the situation and thus has to resort to a short cut trying to resume control. Alas, its strategy backfires as many including those in the government are opposed to such cowardly act. All the while, the authority has been criticising the United States for their mistreatment of the Guantanamo prisoners but they fail to realise their own mistake of continuous dependency on ISA. It is as if they are saying that since Uncle Sam himself is doing the same therefore it is alright for us to follow.

By continually using the ISA when problems arise, the authority seems to distrust the ability of available regulations to regulate the people. ISA is only a short term preventive measure and not a long term and effective solution to any problems how big they are. Be gentlemen and face the music!

A good man would prefer to be defeated than to defeat injustice by
evil means.
Sallust (86 BC - 34 BC), 'Jugurthine War,' 41 B.C