Najib in his maiden speech as PM tonight:
In this spirit, I would like to announce that the government has decided with immediate effect, to remove the temporary ban on TWO news publications, release 13 detainees from ISA detention, and conduct a comprehensive review of the Internal Security Act. Additional details will be announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs shortly.
Well, not quite a surprise.
As I had mentioned yesterday, Pakatan sources in Bukit Selambau were already expecting the release of ISA detainees, specifically a few Hindraf detainees except for the leader, Uthayakumar, who they felt would have to serve a longer term.
But it’s is not known if there are any Hindraf detainees among the 13 detainees that Najib said would be released.
Anyway, it’s a positive start for Najib.
Let us not forget that this is a small victory for the Malaysian public, many of whom over the last ten years have been pressuring for meaningful democratic reforms, campaigning for the release of all ISA detainees and calling for an outright repeal of the ISA.
But be cautious: this is exactly the way Mahathir started when he came into power in 1981. He released a whole bunch of ISA detainees. And then came Operasi Lalang in 1987.
The first thing that comes to mind now is: is all this a political ploy aimed at the three by-elections? And then tighten the screws later? Does that mean the remaining ISA detainees have to wait for a new PM before they can have a better hope of being released?
Note: Telekom has confirmed on a recorded message over its helpline that users will experience slow browsing for websites hosted in the US and Hong Kong. “Restoration work is in progress” is their well-worn message. Let’s see how long this takes. This slowdown will affect the downloading speed of many blogs that are hosted overseas at a crucial period ahead of the three by-elections.
indeed good news, but they should not have been ISAed in the first place.thanks
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This is quite a surprise. If the Hindraf 5 are released do you think it will make a difference to the Indian vote?
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We expecting Najib to release of ISA detainees, but lifts paper suspension. My question is why don’t he abolish ISA immediately ??? Mean that BN may arrest those opposition leaders those are treat to BN in future ??? Make no sense at all !!!!
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He is facing a very difficult scenario.
And it look very bleak. All the 3 by elections stacked against him.
And if he able to win just one for the bn , he can smile a bit and fasten his seat belt to his new premier seat.
Releasing ISA detainees is just to get some Hindraf votes.
But of course the gov will deny it.
lets see if he will drops all charges toward Raja petra .
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I am not buying this. Nothng but a ploy. If Najib was serious, he would release ALL the ISA detainees. Then, he would begin to disband Special Branch. We have NO NEED of these goons. Then he would begin to address civil society’s numerous demands for democratic and judicial reforms. Otherwise, don’t come adn try and pretend anymore. We can see right through this new PM. He has no new clothes.
Besides, Najib would NOT have even done this had there been no opposition demanding these reforms…! So, onwards Pakatan..! REFORMASI..!
IPCMC. WE WANT POLICE REFORMS. AND WE WANT THEM NOW..!
And how about Royal Commissions of Inquiry into those shady submarine deals; those Sukhoi purchases; a retrial for the Altantuyaa murderers – and this time with (all connected witnesses present and) freely questioned, etc.
So you see, this is all a game to try and win the three by-elections. Bottom line is: NAJIB, YOU HAVE TO DO BETTER THAN JUST THIS. THIS IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH..!
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IPCMC. WE WANT POLICE REFORMS. AND WE WANT THEM NOW..!
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A brilliant move by Najib…but as you so clearly put it, Anil, it’s very obviously a publicity stunt to throw the opposition wolves off the scent, and to placate the now-in-disarray Hindraf supporters in Kedah. I’m willing to stake 100:1 odds that the Old Man is up to his tricks again, and neither will ISA be repealed. Would the UMNO faithful stand quietly and allow Najib to dismantle one of their most powerful weapons?
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Of course it has to do with the three by-elections.
By now Najib’s intelligence sources would have told him BN is facing defeat in at least 2 out of 3 of the seats, if he doesn’t do something very quickly.
So he has….with his back to the wall.
Keep the pressure on folks….keep the flame burning….its a very small victory for democracy.
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Why release 13 ISA-detainees and not the rest? What’s the selective criteria used?
And are Hindraf’s Uthayakumar and Waythamoorthy really dangerous to national security, and so to be considered as potential “terrorists”? Or are they compassionate “human rights activists/freedom-fighters” and so clearly, innocent?
Does anyone with a half an ounce of Malaysian grey-matter still not know how to evaluate the difference and see the propaganda spin and understand that the ISA is being used as a political weapon?
Time to stop the FARCE and put an end to it, don’t you think?
Everyone can smell through the UMNO/BN farcical s**** that has been heaped upon Malaysia for so long that the nation has systematically been brought down to her knees and shamed for all to see on the international stage.
Oh, and if you are still revelling in that Mahathirian spin of “malaysia bolehness” comfort in this unprecedented world economic recession, suggest you read the OECD’s very short, name and shame blacklist published today and then wake up fast to the reality that the rest of the world normally lives in.
“Imagine Power To The People” John Lennon.
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How fortunate for BN. First the SPR takes the UMNO AGM into account when setting the dates for the simultaneous by elections. Then Telekom runs into a problem preventing the alternative media (the Oppositions most effective media) to disseminate information.
What next I wonder?
The ISA should be repealed. The Indian majority electorate of Bkt Selambau should not take this bait. Vote PR, and go for the removal of the insidious Act. This is the stand of PR and shows the way forward vis-a-vis political freedom in Malaysia. This sop should be seen for what it is. BN has got their backs to the wall.
The ISA release, the media ban and subsequent removal shows how the BN treats laws and regulations as its playthings. So suddenly the ISA detainees are no longer a threat to national security?
What on earth was all their suffering and the sorrow of their loved ones for? They were there so that Najib can sell the feel good factor upon his ascension into the PM’s seat?
Did the media break the law to warrant the initial suspension or didn’t they?
This is the face of the political realities under our newly minted PM. And this does not put my mind at ease at all as they are supposed to.
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Well Anil, it wasn’t Pakatan saying that Hindraf 5 will be released but myself who predicted release before by-election for Hindraf 4. Anyway 2 of 4 got released any way.
I expect the other 2 to be released sooner or later. But Uthaya will have to stay longer.
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Carrot Before Stick, Umno Style
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It’s a con job la! They are fishing for votes! Remember pakatan says it’s a refenrendum against Najib! Najib will use all the Cs – corner, confuse, commit, and if that doesn’t do, condemn….
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The Lame duck cud have done the job of releasing the detainee and got the credit before he step down. Always blur…blur…..
Alas , he cud have been stopped by the oldman who planned for his puppetman to do the good job in time for the 3 by-elections.
The next move is to think of some interesting names for the coming operasi. How about operasi tikus , … kuching , gajah sakti ,
kelapa sawit , kangkong …bla…bla…
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I remember a now Tun said ‘work with me, not for me’. I also remember all his promises. He turned out to be a … sleepyhead. He even allowed a … to be CEO of a certain Bolehland.
Now the … made promises for a better Bolehland. Should I believe the …
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Lets see how far Najib will go, or if this is just window dressing.
Anyway, I’m hoping to get my Wakil Rakyat back…
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A dessert on the house before the check is presented.
We fell for that one lock, stock and barrel many moons ago. Don’t forget the overcharging: closing down of the Star for using the word DETAINED in a black box. Reason: creating public fear.
If sodomy II is anything to go by, you can bet your bottom dollar history has a tendency to repeat itself…with a straight face.
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this maked matters worst only.all hindraf 5 shouls have been released.divide and rule is not the answer.all should have been released. to make matters plain and simple
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All this is Sandiwara of the highest order. It is just like an old record playing over and over and over…. If they cannot even change UMNO….how do you expect najib to change for the better.
But one thing is for certain….Peoples Power will win the war.
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LOL
Usually PM or President pardon or release people before they leave the office. What a political ploy in trying to gain support. Doesn’t this show if you have to give out candies when you come in that means you do not have the support of the people and need to buy people’s vote. Only in Malaysia we are forced to take a leader that have so many ? and yet we don’t have a choice.
Welcome to Malaysia Boleh… Or maybe we need to change it to SEMUA BOLEH land…
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This is Najib last ditch effort to ensure BN wins the by-election but I believe the rakyat are smarter than this to fall into this trap. We shall wait for Anwar’s surprise before we comment more.
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Dear Anil, but they still raid the Suara Keadilan office and snatch the film. while confisticate the PAS “Hujah”.
This is contradictory to his announcement. What an irony?
So is this new PM telling a big lie or is this the act by his (people) to sabotage him?
Is this because that minister is going to be dropped from the cabinet line-up and he is showing his power due to frustration?
Or is he overzealous and trying to prove his loyalty by becoming more aggressive?
Which is which?
But one thing for sure, this is another piece of strong evidence which depicts clearly what he is talking about is mere sandiwara, they never walk the talk.
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Undoing what should not have been done in the first place is not doing anything good at all.
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Lets See!!!!
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Malaysians have learned to be cynical,
1. Blur-blur Syed Hamid may not have been in control of his ministry for a long time. Some behind the scene forces are more likely at work all along.
2. Why ban the papers in the first place so recently? Make people feel it was not a contrived act to create a “good cop” image now,
3. The non-release of 3 key HINDRAF leaders, especially one with diabetes, is going to focus people wrath more!
4. These detainees may have been released earlier, perhaps only delayed to make the new PM look good by those who want him to look good.
5. Looks like a feudal, imperial, act of “amnesty” by some ancient Chinese emperor upon his ascent to the throne. It got so bad in ancient china, some insider eunuch actually leaked out pending amnesty, such that a high official urged his son to go out to kill his enemy to settle old score because the official-insider knew an amnesty was coming.
Point? Return to the rule of law, not rule of one man!
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