Directory of Internal Security Act Resources

Home > Regional > Asia > Malaysia > Society and Culture > Politics > Issues > Internal Security Act

The Malaysian Internal Security Act provides for arbitrary arrest and detention without trial for an indefinite period based on suspicion that one may commit an act dangerous to national security. A detainee is presumed guilty, and held without trial. It also allows a detainee to be held in solitary confinement for 60 days no access to legal counsel. When the Act was first adopted, it allowed for judicial review. However, the ISA has been amended, and this provision has been removed. Absolute power is given to the Minister of Home Affairs to arbitrarily detain anyone.

Resources in This Category

• ABC Online: Malaysia Security Scare

  http://www.abc.net.au/pm/stories/s282497.htm
  Another Anwar Ibrahim supporter arrested under the Internal Security Act.

• BBC News - Malaysia to Tighten Security Laws

  http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/2446671.stm
  Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad says courts will no longer be able to challenge arrests made under a controversial security law.

• BBC News - Malaysia's Fearsome Security Law

  http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/asia-pacific/1420739.stm
  Basic overview of the ISA which allows detainees to be held for 60 days in solitary confinement and two years without charge.

• CNN.com - Malaysia's Internal Security Act

  http://asia.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/asiapcf/southeast/08/06/malay.isa/
  Brief outline of the authority invested in the ISA.

• CNN.com - Malaysian Police Arrest al Qaeda-Linked Suspects

  http://edition.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/asiapcf/southeast/04/18/malaysia.arrests/
  Fourteen members of an Islamic extremist group arrested in Johor.

• Malaysia's Internal Security Act and Suppression of Political Dissent

  http://www.hrw.org/backgrounder/asia/malaysia-bck-0513.htm
  Outlines the ISA in the aftermath of September 11.

• Opposition to Malaysia's ISA

  http://www.jca.apc.org/asia-apec/msg00311.html
  New Patriotic Alliance in the Philippines joins the outraged groups protesting the ISA.

• The Trial of Lim Guan Eng

  http://www.heureka.clara.net/sunrise/lim-guan.htm
  Article expressing how this man was denied justice, human rights, freedom of expression.

• Why the MMA Should Get Involved in the Repeal of the Internal Security Act

  http://www.vadscorner.com/isa.html
  Essay by Ronald McCoy about the political and human rights reasons to repeal the law.

 

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