In conjunction with the International Human Rights Day, Penang Gerakan urges the Government to review detention without trial enactments and amend the Internal Security Act, Police Act and Emergency Ordinance. The people entrusted to carry out their duties must always ensure justice and freedom prevails and it is not enforce “Ikut Suka Aku”. Judicious use of the Act is important and the Act is not to be used indiscriminately to stifle dissent. Over the past few years, blatant abuse of the ISA was evident and the Rakyat will not tolerate it any further. The Government must give assurance that detention without trial will not be used as a political tool.

The right to peaceful assembly is an inherent right of the People and the Government and Police should not be seen to suppress it. Penang Gerakan urges the Police to permit the peaceful assembly and exercise restraint.

Conflicts revolving around the rights of spouse to custody of children after the conversion of the other spouse should be looked into by the legislature. This is to ensure a clear and precise rule of law applies to all and that there no injustice or biasness committed against the spouse and the children.

For this year’s International Human Rights Day, Penang Gerakan hopes that the freedom of speech, assembly, association, religion, education and equality as enshrined in our Federal Constitution will be upheld at all times by the Government and the People.

by Baljit Singh
Penang Gerakan Legal & Human Rights Bureau Chief