Former detainees call for abolition of ISA

[Leepotism]

ISA should be abolished, say former detainees
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SINGAPORE: Two former Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees said they believe the Act should be abolished.

Francis Seow and Tang Fong Har were speaking via Skype at a public forum on Saturday on the ISA issue. The forum, organised by the Singapore Democratic Party, was attended by some 150 people.

It was the first time that dissidents in exile were communicating with Singaporeans in public.

Francis Seow was detained under the ISA in 1988 after being accused of receiving funds from the United States to establish a more effective opposition in Parliament.

He is also the author of several books, including "To Catch A Tartar: A Dissident in Lee Kuan Yew's Prison", where he recounts his detention by Internal Security Department officers.

Mr Seow currently has a warrant of arrest against him in Singapore for tax evasion.

The 83-year-old, who is now living in the United States, said he still keeps himself informed about what is happening in Singapore and Malaysia.

Last month, Malaysia announced that it plans to repeal the Internal Security Act. Mr Seow believes Singapore should do the same as he said there are sufficient laws in Singapore to ensure public order is maintained.

Tang Fong Har, who was accused of being a member of an alleged Marxist Conspiracy and was detained in 1987 under the ISA, said the ISA should be repealed but not be replaced by something worse off.

Both Ms Tang and Mr Seow want to return to Singapore. It is believed that Mr Seow is still a Singapore citizen and Ms Tang renounced her citizenship in 2003.

The Ministry of Home Affairs had earlier said that Singapore is not scrapping its Internal Security Act, saying it "continues to be relevant and crucial as a measure of last resort" for keeping the country safe and secure.

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