ISA: some proverbs come to mind

Many people are skeptical about the proposed abolition of the infamous ISA or Internal Security Act, despite the apparent rejoice of some in the mainstream media to show Najib as a reformist. But someone pointed out that had he done so within days of taking over as Prime Minister, then it would have been more credible than now.

Kim Quek described ISA as abominable and the proposed replacement of ISA with something similar as 'old wine in new bottle' and warned that the new anti-terrorist law could provide for even worse implementation judging from how anti-communist ISA was implemented by Umno in the past.

To me, changing from one abominable and detestable ISA to something which could be just as likely to be deliberately mis-implemented to attack political opponents and their supporters, the proverb 'out of the frying pan into the fire' comes to mind.

As to Najib's public relation exercise to improve his image with this so-called 'historic' act, which his Information Minister hinted days before as a 'major announcement' or something to that effect, without the support of Najib's Deputy and his Home Minister (the Minister responsible for ISA and its substitute), the Malays would describe it as 'syiok sendiri'. The Hokiens would describe such act as 'Chui kong lanpar song'. Again, this is for Hokiens to know and others to find out the literal meaning!

Kim Quek's article in CPI:
http://english.cpiasia.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2247:forget-isa-abolition-zero-in-on-electoral-reform&catid=178:yong-thye-chong&Itemid=193


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