Anti-ISA rally on Aug 1 to kick off at 2pm

Islamic Party of Malaysia(PAS) central committee member Mohamad Sabu has urged the public to turn up on Aug 1 to participate in a peaceful rally to call for the Internal Security
Act(ISA) to be abolished.

”We hope everybody could come out to stand against (the injustice of) the ISA,” Mohamad said.
When contacted today, Mohamad said the rally on Aug 1, could be an opportunity for the country to start the process of getting rid of the notorious act that has chained the country for the past 49 years.

”We are the only country to have this act apart from Singapore, Israel and Brunei,” he said.
The ISA allowed for indefinite detention without trial with several detainees currently being held for almost eight years.

The Act which originally aimed to counter communist insurgency in the 60s had turned into what several quarters described as a “political tool” for the ruling coalition to silent dissenting voices.

Mohamad said those participating should wear black and red as proposed by the organiser and he expressed confidence that the rally would proceed peacefully without any untoward incidents.
Three meeting points have been allocated for the rally namely in front of shopping complex Sogo, Masjid Jamek and the National mosque before participants march to the National Palace at 2pm.

Abolished ISA Movement(GMI) working committee chairman Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said the rally aimed to mobilise the masses to call for the draconian act to be abolished, for all ISA detainees to be released and for Kamunting Camp in Perak to be closed down.


He said the rally in conjunction with 49th anniversary of the draconian act would culminate with a people declaration being handed over to the Yang diPertuan Agong, the King.
He said the secretariat of the rally would be sending a letter to the National Palace seeking audience.

In a statement distributed July 10, Syed Ibrahim said the rally is part of GMI continuous effort to highlight the injustices of the ISA.

”The pressure from the people (to the government) play an important role in this effort (to repeal the draconian act),” he said.

”The people has once again call for change,” he said hinting that people power and “makkal sakhti” would be the battlecry for the rally.

”We are calling for bloggers, reformists and social activists to support this rally,” he said.
He said in the presence of ISA, everyone could be detained at any time and their freedom being taken away.

Syed Ibrahim said a series of rally would also be held nationwide in the run up to Aug 1.
He said updated information could be obtained from the rally’s official blog at himpunanmansuhisa.wordpress.com

There will also be banner, posters and fliers to be distributed nationwide.