FAC News - Monday, February 25, 2002 4:23 PM

THE ISA HABEAS CORPUS APPEAL HEARING - ISA is to thwart "future planning"

The prosecution argued that the Internal Security Act (ISA) is meant to prevent "future planning".

The ISA is to protect national security and to combat subversion. Therefore, the use of the ISA is justified explained the prosecution.

One of the Judges then interrupted and pointed out that the ISA contradicts the Malaysian Constitution. "How do you reconcile this?" asked the Judge.

In reply to this, the prosecution argued that Article 149 of the Constitution allows Parliament, under special circumstances, to enact laws that are contradictory. Therefore, the ISA is valid though it may contradict the Constitution.