On the 27th of October 1987, Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad launches Operation Lalang. This operation entailed the arrest of many leading political figures, such as Lim Kit Siang, Karpal Singh, and Mohamad Sabu. Several major newspapers had their publishing licenses revoked. This operation was carried out under the guise of the Internal Security Act, a law that had its roots in the need to contain the Communist threat during the Emergency. Critics of Operation Lalang have accused the government of abusing the ISA, using racial tensions as a pretext to silent opposition to the draconian rule of the Prime Minister. 

 

Events such as Operation Lalang are a common occurence in many countries today, in which governments enact and utilize draconian legislation to spy on their citizens, or to curb dissent. These regimes deliberately deprive their citizens of the civil liberties guaranteed to them by natural law, in the name of maintaining national security. 

 

Post-Mahathir, laws such as the SOSMA and the Anti-Fake News Act, have also been criticised for having the potential for abuse. The old guard is still very much in power. 

 

In line with the theme of the conference, "Global Issues Through the Malaysian Eye” this council will allow participants to develop an understanding of the balance between national security and civil liberty – in Malaysia as well as internationally.

 

To what extent must the civil liberty of citizens be sacrificed to maintain the security of a nation? What right does the government have to spy on its people? How does a government combat terrorism while ensuring the civil liberties of its people are not sacrificed? These questions will form the basis of the discussion in this council. Sign up for this council and allow yourself to engage with possible answers to these questions; play your part in furthering the cause of democracy in Malaysia.

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