Malaysia Steps Forward 

The Washington Post

IT IS ALWAYS tempting to proclaim grand trends in international politics: to see the forward march of democracy or, alternatively, a backsliding toward authoritarianism; to see economic progress or, alternatively, regression to failed-state chaos. But recent events in Malaysia illustrate the muddle that confuses all these trend lines. Between retreat and progress is a large area where the two forces stand in agitated equilibrium. And in that area, the difference between a step forward and a step back can depend on the courage of a few individuals.

This week Hishamudin Mohamad Yunus, a high court judge in Kuala Lumpur, ordered the release of two anti-government activists who had been jailed for seven weeks without trial. Their detention had been part of a sweep of 10 opposition critics who were locked up under the Draconian Internal Security Act.

A week ago, human rights activists in Malaysia feared the worst for them. Four of the detainees had been denied both family visits and a chance to meet their lawyers; others faced the prospect that, rather than their being released when their initial detention term expired June 10, a further order might be signed by the home minister that would keep them in for two more years. That further detention is still possible, and the two activists just released might yet be rearrested. For the moment, however, Malaysia has taken a step forward.

The manner of the release was especially heartening. Judge Hishamudin criticized the government for failing to provide evidence of the alleged plot for which the activists had been arrested. "The grounds for the arrest must be clearly stated," he said in his judgment. "The arresting officer cannot parrot the provisions of the [Internal Security Act] for detaining the applicants. He must show that he has reason to believe that the applicants had acted or were about to act in a manner prejudicial to the country."

And the judge went on to suggest that Malaysia should abolish the act, which was created in colonial times by the British to fight a communist insurgency that died out long ago.

In the current climate in Malaysia, that took some courage; but then courage is regularly required of authoritarianism's critics.

Ezam Mohamad Noor, one of the eight who remain in detention, visited The Post last year during a spell away from his country; he expected that he would be arrested if he returned home, and yet he returned nonetheless.

Journalists at critical news Web sites, such as the popular Malaysiakini.com, face the prospect of having their offices raided and their equipment confiscated.

There was a time when people said the Internet would lead inexorably to greater freedom. But it turns out that this is true only if brave people take personal risks along the way.