ISA for not following procedures

"I am duty-bound to act because the people want the government to take action. The people don't want to see this country in chaos... between the freedom of expression and public safety, I will give importance to public safety. If you want to speak up, you must follow procedures.”

(-Prime Minister Abdullah justifying the use to ISA on the Hindraf 5.)

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You must follow procedures then?

What if your letters are not replied? What if the police do not give you permit to gather peacefully? What is your memorandums are not even read? What if the PM or any other top politicians refuse to meet you?

What choice have you got then apart from venting your frustrations by making noise?

This is precisely what Hindraf did (although I have my reservations on their exact manner and choice of words in making that noise).

So the PM should first look at how his government deals with complaints from the grassroots before trying to silence the dissent.

p/s: Would a petition have worked in telling the PM that things were not right on the ground? I doubt it but someone has set up a petition last night seeking the release of the five arrested under ISA.

Do check it out. When I last saw it, some 8,000 people have signed it. DO LOOK AT SOME OF THE COMMENTS.

The petition.