Did Mahathir want to abolish the ISA during his first tenure?

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Mahathir Expressed Desire to Abolish ISA During His First Tenure, Citing Misuse for Political Detentions

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has stated that the detention of political rivals under the Internal Security Act (ISA) 1960 during his first tenure as prime minister was "wrong." He claimed that while the law was intended to detain individuals posing a threat to national security, it was sometimes used to detain political opponents, an application he considered incorrect. Dr Mahathir indicated his desire to annul the ISA, but noted that the police and other enforcement agencies felt it remained necessary for the country's needs.
Opposition to Amendments and New Legislation

Dr Mahathir reiterated his opposition to the ISA during his time in office. He also expressed his disapproval of the Barisan Nasional (BN) government's subsequent enactment of a new law that he considered more severe than the ISA. This stance suggests a consistent, albeit complex, relationship with security legislation, where the necessity of such laws was acknowledged by enforcement bodies, even as their application drew criticism.
ISA's Intended Purpose and Actual Application

The ISA, enacted during the colonial era, was intended to detain individuals who posed a threat to the nation's stability. Dr Mahathir acknowledged that after independence, the law was still deemed necessary to prevent those who threatened the community from acting freely. However, he admitted that the government at times detained political opponents under the ISA, which he personally viewed as an incorrect application of the law.
Enforcement Agencies' Stance on ISA Retention

Despite Dr Mahathir's expressed wish to annul the ISA, he explained that the police and other enforcement agencies maintained that the law was needed. This indicates a divergence of opinion between the executive leadership's policy aspirations and the operational perspectives of security bodies, who perceived ongoing requirements for such a statute. The ISA was eventually repealed in 2012 under a later administration.

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Did Mahathir want to abolish the ISA during his first tenure?

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