Actually, I’m an American living in Singapore. Yes, I do know a bit about Malaysia, having visited there several times and, as you know, much of your news is our news (and prolly vice versa, too).

“…but even I, as a Malaysian, think that the ISA is taking things a bit too far.”

Actually, I never said anything regarding the ISA. That was Ann’s comment. I’m not knowledgeable enough about the Malaysian ISA to make a comment.

“And we honestly don’t have enough democracy–no free media, too much corruption, a lot of cover ups etc. etc. etc. It’s very disheartening having to say things like this about one’s own country, but there you go.”

Yes, Malaysia has problems politically, socially, etc., just as every other country does. I have no problem with you criticizing your own country; heck, I frequently criticize my own government (try reading my blog; “Dissent is the highest form of patriotism.” - Thomas Jefferson). But my fear was that Yusuf, who otherwise writes a very nice blog, may be making unfounded criticisms against Malaysia’s democracy. Malaysia isn’t the UK, and it’s never going to be. If you take one aspect of your criticism - no free media - we both know that Malaysia’s press and the British press are never going to be at the same level in the foreseeable future, with or without government restrictions. But on a fundamental level, Malaysia’s democracy is, IMO, at a similar level to that of the UK’s. And if you want to go one step further, I’d be willing to say, in a paraphrase of Brother Yusuf’s sentence, “It’s true that the UK or Malaysia does not have the same level of democracy that the US enjoys.”

But that’s my American bias against parliamentary-style governments speaking. :)

I know you’re Singaporean, and therefore know a bit about Malaysia, but even I, as a Malaysian, think that the ISA is taking things a bit too far. And we honestly don’t have enough democracy—no free media, too much corruption, a lot of cover ups etc. etc. etc. It’s very disheartening having to say things like this about one’s own country, but there you go.

Cheers.

“Phillips is complaining that Cherie Booth is defending the human rights of alleged terrorists in Malaysia, which is not exactly known for its respect for human rights.”

If you believe what Phillips says about Malaysia’s respect for human rights, then you’ve swallowed her bias whole.

“It’s true that Malaysia does not have the same level of democracy that we enjoy here in the west.”

Actually, what’s true is that Malaysia does have the same level of democracy that you enjoy in the West. After all, Malaysia follows the British system of democracy.

Cherie might wat to get out of Downing Street to be able to make a lot of money without being questioned about it, too. She was mightily criticized for charging for pretty boring speeches in several countries lately.

By the way, isn’t Malaysia’s Internal Security Act a remnant of British colonial law?