The ‘Cool ‘Najib

Najib announced on the 16th September that the Internal Security Act (ISA) 1960 will be repealed, and its place, two new laws will be enacted to safeguard peace and order the detention period will be reduced and can only be extended by the courts, except in cases involving terrorism. Three remaining emergency proclamations to be lifted are: Emergency 1969, Emergency 1966 (Sarawak) and Emergency 1977 (Kelantan).Banishment Act 1959 will also be repealed. The annual license renewal requirement for newspapers and publications will be replaced with a one-off permit by reviewing the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.Reviewing the Restricted Residence Act 1933.Allowing greater freedom to assemble by reviewing Section 27 of the Police Act 1967 by taking into consideration Article 10 of the Federal Constitution which guarantees every citizen with the right to freedom of speech and assembly.

The ISA which was introduced in 1960, to defend the nation against the Communist insurgency, with the promise by then Prime Minister the late Tunku, it will not to be used to persecute political opponents. But to the chagrin of the nation, it was only used to stipple dissent and opposition to the government of the day. It was abused to the maximum during the infamous rule of Mahathir with his Operasi Lallang. Some are also arrested with ‘benevolent’ intentions, like the ‘altruistic’ action of the police protecting Sin Chew reporter from safety threat.

Well and good dear Prime Minister your epochal action in initiating the reform in repelling the archaic repressive laws which were inherited from the colonialist must be given due recognition; and the nation salutes you for this dear Prime Minister. But can you see it realized through Parliament; or is it a deceitful ploy, or is it an unilateral action of you, to portray your good self as a Cool Prime Minister, without the support of your Cabinet colleagues to mend your image, and wants to see yourself as a reform oriented leader and redeem your image, which has been badly battered by your bad Governance.

The Luke worm response from the Deputy Prime Minister, who is widely seen as a person who wants’ to see Najib, only as a one term Prime Minister, the Right wing faction within Umno, who are perceiving the latest reform initiative by Najib as an attempt and affront in dismantling the last bastion to keep the Ketuanan Melayu intact. Perkasa the neo fascist out crop of Umno has shown their reservations about this. Ibrahim Ali will be the saddest person, where he will be deprived of the ‘privilege’ of threatening everyone and sundry with ISA. There are very likely chances that the Prime Ministers reform could be derailed by factions within Umno who wants’ to demonize him and portray him as unpopular as possible so that he can be dethroned like Badawi after his dismal performance in GE12.

Najibs sincerity in seeing through the reform is being watched with renewed scepticism, when Mat Sabu is now being charged for revealing his opinion about the historical fallacy which the Government wants the people to believe. Anwar Ibrahim is being investigated again for the China Dolls case. When even the ‘Undilah’ video has been stopped from broadcasting in the Mainstream TV stations, and with all these hot stuff engulfed on PM Najib, how is he going to be the ‘Cool’ Prime Minister as he wants everyone to believe; by just talking through Radio Station’s life streaming programs or joining and waving in concerts of the youngsters.