About 50 people from the Komtar trading area and Penang Umno Youth gathered at Komtar Walk to stage a rally to counter a civil society forum discussing the Internal Security Act (ISA) today.

penang attack on anti isa forum 211110 01 The forum entitled ‘ Alat Politik untuk Penindasan ’ (A political tool of oppression), that is still in progress at press time, also features former Gerakan central committee member Toh Kin Woon launching the book ‘50 Years Under the ISA’.

The ‘pro-ISA’ protestors - led by Penang Umno Youth chief Norman Dhalan and Komtar Merchants Association (KMA) vice-chief Abdul Ghani Mohammad Jiman - shouted 'Hidup ISA !' (Long live the ISA!), ‘ Halau pengkhianat !' (Banish the traitors!) and ‘ Hanya pencuri dan penyanggak takut ISA ' (Only thieves and criminals fear the ISA!).

penang attack on anti isa forum 211110 umno youth violence Having proceeded to the front stage where speakers were scheduled to speak against the preventive detention law, the protestors however declined an invitation from the forum organisers to present their arguments on stage.

Throughout this time protestors chanted ‘ Kekalkan ISA ’ (Keep the ISA!) and ‘ Yes to ISA !’

At one point, a tiny scuffle broke out when one of the forum moderators Rozaimin Elias was slapped by one of the protestors when he tried to prevent them from advancing onto the stage.

'Chaos without ISA'

Later, activist Hishamuddin Rais ( right , in photo below, with Abdul Ghani on the left ) managed to persuade Abdul Ghani speak and explain why he felt the ISA should be continued.

Ghani said that it was needed to protect the country, race and religion.

penang attack on anti isa forum 211110 hisham invites ghani to speak He added that only a handful of people opposed the ISA and urged Malaysians not to be tricked by the opposition, that he said only offered sweet nothings and would bring doom to the people.

“The ISA is used to chase away traitors; the opposition (Pakatan Rakyat) does not want the ISA to exist as they are the traitors of the country; they have destroyed this nation,” he said, while his supporters cheered him on.

“It is also used to punish those who falsify other people’s identity cards or passports; without the law, there would be bombings and killings everywhere,” he added.

penang attack on anti isa forum 211110 03 “The ISA is not for ordinary citizens but for those who have squandered away the rights of others; these people talk about human rights, but what happened to the Komtar traders? We were evicted from our business premises,” he said.

In August Ghani had led a protest against the state government for allegedly refusing a group of Malay traders to set up business at the Bazaar Ramadam at Komtar. The authorities had responded that Ghani had failed to pay the rental fees despite having collected the amount from the tradiers.

Ghani meanwhile cried foul that he had been asked to pay up before setting stall, complaining this was not what the previous state government had practised.

‘ISA safeguards Malays’ freedom’

After his speech, Hishamuddin, who is also a writer and filmmaker, thanked Abdul Ghani for expressing his views; and reiterated that everyone should respect one another’s rights to freedom of speech.

Hishamuddin, an ex-ISA detainee, complimented Abdul Ghani for a “well-spoken” speech and added that he would like to see the latter as his assemblyperson if he were voting in Penang.

At this juncture, Hishamuddin took the opportunity to urge those who have not done so to register themselves as voters immediately, so that they can decide the future of the country.

penang attack on anti isa forum 211110 mohd ghani pc The protestors held a press conference ( left ) after the rally several metres away from the forum, with Abdul Ghani repeating much of what had been said earlier.

The media failed to obtain comments from Norman, who was nowhere to be seen.

Meanwhile, another protestor said he was “proud” of the ISA as it has allowed the rakyat to wander freely without fear in their own country.

penang attack on anti isa forum 211110 penang umno youth chief norman in blue shirt Mohd Firdaus Madar Sahim, who said he represented no political party or group, said he was disappointed that the forum organisers tried to prevent him from entering the area.

“This is Komtar Walk, a public area. Why are they stopping me from going near the forum? We have not ended the ISA yet, and they have already started to stop the Malays from walking in this area; just imagine what would happen if the ISA was actually abolished?”

VIDEO | 6.46 mins