Campaign against terrorism

Those labeled as militants are still being arrested in Malaysia. By last week, 40 people had been detained on charges of being involved in terrorist networks. Similar steps were taken by the neighboring city-state, Singapore.

The processes involved in the collection of evidence are still unknown, but the militants arrested both in Malaysia and Singapore have been accused of having links with the al-Qaeda organization.

Last week, the Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad revealed that the police had identified 50 members of the Malaysian Militant Group (KMM) as being involved in the al-Qaeda organization's network.

The truth behind Mahathir's statement is still questionable. However, the Malaysian leader's views have to be carefully heeded.

The seriousness of both the Malaysian and Singaporean governments in fighting against terrorism is undoubted. Nobody questions the arrests as preventive measures, which are normal in any operation against terrorism.

However, people are starting to ask why the militants arrested in Malaysia and Singapore are not receiving a trial. The truth of charges should be proved through open and fair trials.

More criticisms arise as the arrests have been conducted under the Internal Security Act -- originating from the colonial era -- that allows both countries to detain without trial anyone suspected of endangering the state.

Hence, apprehensions have emerged about the possible use of the terrorism issue to repress the opposition. In that case, the campaign against terrorism would be counterproductive as it would not be directly tackling the essence of the issue.

-- Kompas, Jakarta