KUALA LUMPUR: Another Umno stalwart has criticised the recent use of the Internal Security Act, saying it had eroded the government's credibility.
Gua Musang member of parliament and Umno presidential aspirant Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah said the detention under the ISA of a blogger, newspaper reporter and an opposition MP had heightened rather than calmed racial fears.
"In the present context of a leadership struggle within Umno and a strong opposition, it is impossible to dispel the notion that these measures are calculated to keep certain individuals in power.
"Nothing does more to undermine the legitimacy of a government than plainly unjust acts," Tengku Razaleigh said in a statement here.
His criticism follows that of former de-facto law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, who resigned from his cabinet post last week in protest against the ISA arrests.
Blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin was on Tuesday sent to the Kamunting detention centre in Perak where he will begin his internment of up to two years under Section 8 of the ISA.
Selangor senior executive councillor Teresa Kok and Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng have been released.
The arrests were also criticised by other Barisan Nasional component party leaders from the MCA and Gerakan.
In his statement, Tengku Razaleigh painted a bleak picture of the nation's current political and economic situation.
He said the political and economic crisis could cascade into long-term instability for the country.
"I appeal to all parties to come together to hold an honest discussion about what is happening to our country.
"We need to come together to find unity and direction out of this dangerous situation."
- nst
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