Anti-ISA Rally – Scene at Masjid Negara

Scenes from anti-ISA protest at Masjid Negara earlier this evening.

The crowd from Masjid Negara and those from Dataran Merdeka – numbering some 2,000 – have been blocked by the police at the Jalan Raja/Jalan Tun Perak junction from moving towards Sogo.

The crowd has decided to move towards Padang Merbok located along Jalan Parliament.

There is a also sizeable crowd gathered at the Jalan Kuching flyover near Bank Negara.

This video was made by malaysiakini

Since 2005, 10,662 people have been arrested under the ISA in the past 44 years, 4,139 were issued with formal detention orders and 2,066 were served with restriction orders governing their activities and where they live. In addition, 12 people were executed for offences under the ISA between 1984 and 1993. Source: Figures were provided in a written answer by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is also Minister for Internal Security, to parliamentary opposition leader Lim Kit Siang, whose statement was quoted by AFP in newsreports dated 3 Feb 2005

The ISA has been consistently used against people who criticise the government and defend human rights. Known as the “white terror”, it has been the most feared and despised, yet convenient tool for the state to suppress opposition and open debate. The Act is seen by some as an instrument maintained by the ruling government to control public life and civil society.