Organise, Mobilise: How Malaysia Abolished the ISA

Beyond the Ballot Box · Sep 9, 2025 · 43m

The ISA, a draconian law that enabled detention without trial, was used in Malaysia for decades, most notoriously during the infamous Ops Lalang in 1987. But in 2012, it was finally abolished after years of public pressure and grassroots organising. We speak with Nalini Elumalai, one of the key coordinators of the Gerakan Mansuh ISA rally in the mid-2000s, about the long struggle to end the law, the challenges of mobilising under repression, and the lessons learned from this landmark victory for civil society.

Image credit: Pusat Sejarah Rakyat

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