9/21/2012

I support ISA, I don’t support ISA…



This new controversy now has four members in the ring, Function 8, Maruah, the Catholic Church and the MHA. Apparently the Archbishop had sent two letters to Function 8 and Maruah in support of abolishing ISA sometime in June this year before the small rally in Hong Lim. Now the Archbishop’s letters, content not disclosed yet, is mentioned in the open by Alex Au after the former retracted his letter, and presumably the support for the cause. One side is saying that the Archbishop was pressured by MHA to withdraw. The Archbishop is saying that he feared his letters could be misused for the wrong reasons or causes.

Now we have a new dispute on top of abolishing the ISA. What is happening behind closed door that is leading to this controversy? I believe the truth would slowly creep out and there will be more red faces.

The main issue is the ISA. Is there a need for the ISA? I think so then and now. There are elements that can wreck havoc and threaten securities and safety of people and country. The question is how to deal with them and play by their rules instead of being constrained by the slow pace of the legal and policing systems? I think the ISA per se is not an issue. Abolishing it will see a new transformation, a new tool be invented to take its place and the problem will just recycle itself.

The main problem of the ISA is the fear and the perception of it being misused and abused for the wrong reasons, for the wrong purpose. The ISA is seen as a draconian and outdated tool of oppression by some quarters. Why does it acquire such a bad reputation? Why should it not be seen as a necessary and respectable tool for the govt to use for country and people?

The ISA is not the only govt instrument that can acquire such an infamous reputation. The other apparachiks of the govt like the CPIB, the IRA or even the Law Society, if not carefully managed, can also acquire equally offensive and evil reputation. So, is the abolishing of the ISA a solution? I don’t think so. It is how the tool is being applied, being misused that matters. And this boils down to the operators, the intent and the authority. If the authority is seen to be applying all the instruments of power fairly, justly, for the good of country and nation, if the operators act professionally, all the govt instruments will be highly respected and regarded.

It is not the ISA alone, look at the HDB, the MOE, MOM, all can be viewed with mistrust and disgust too. Should they all be abolished? This will bring things back to square one. Why is an organization seen as a bad organization and some people wanting it to be abolished and some people seeing it as an instrument of fear or of ill repute?

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Maruah and Function 8, it's about morality, it's about Alex Au's immoral personal conduct and agenda, political and personal expediency,it's a Sodom and Gomorrah situation.
Does Maruah and Function 8 subscribe to the notion that liberty is licence for gay
and lesbian orientation? God forbids.

-------------------------------------------------

“Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Prov. 14:34.)

“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and Citizens. The mere Politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity...
And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure,
reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.” George Washington, September 17, 1796 .

Yet there are people today who think that liberty is licence and that morality is unimportant or irrelevant to politics and economics.

"Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom.
As nations become corrupt and vicious,they have more need of masters." Benjamin Franklin

search google, Overview of America - YouTube

PS, could not get to post at Yahoo site at,
(Archbishop, blogger clash over report on ISA letter - Yahoo! News Singapore)
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/archbishop--blogger-clash-over-report-on-isa-letter.html
sorry for the intrusion.

Joshua Chiang

Chua Chin Leng aka redbean said...

Interesting comments on the yin and yang of such relationship. Actually religion is also a mixed of yin and yang. There are more people killed by religion, more people persecuted for being on the wrong side of religion.

Read the holy text of religion and you will discover so many evil and wickedness in them.

Morality does not need a religion.

Anonymous said...

Ah! The age old debate.

The wisdom of Man versus the wisdom of God!

Anonymous said...

I support you, but sssssh, don't tell anyone.

Anonymous said...

Morality cometh to those with discipline and righteously, there is no need for religion.

Religion itself needs moral guidance.

Anonymous said...

Morality cometh to those with discipline and righteousness.
Apology for the mistake in the Above Posting.

Anon 1005 AM

Chua Chin Leng aka redbean said...

The evil of today's morality is in religion.

Ⓜatilah $ingapura⚠️ said...

The ISA should be kept. But to prevent it from being abused by govt to silence opposition, the powers should be handed over to PARLIAMENT, not held by one or a few persons who can unilaterally determine its use.

Anonymous said...

What cock is M_S talking?

The Government is different from the Parliament?

Too much sex has weakened your head Uncle.