On 24 December 1989, the Malaysian government concluded a treaty with the Communist Party of Malaya in Bangkok following which the Communist insurgency ceased altogether. Thereafter the basis for the existence of the ISA has ceased to exist. It is a person's fundamental right in a society subscribing to the rule of law to be free from arbitrary arrests and detention. In Datuk Anwar's case, the police went on television to disclose that new reports had been lodged against Datuk Anwar, alleging he had interfered with police investigation and that he might have committed sedition for what he had said in an interview with foreign media. It cannot be correct for the police to publicly disclose that there is evidence in police possession which may warrant Datuk Anwar's prosecution.
Professionalism is a matter for objective assessment and is judged by the conduct of the police.
Their function is to investigate complaints thoroughly in order to gather evidence, and to present the evidence to the public prosecutor to decide whether there is any offence disclosed. It may be useful to bear in mind, that it is inimical to the good image of the police as a law enforcement body to take on the confrontational stance they did in the interview against a person who has not been charged with any offences. It is also reminiscent of the dismissal of Tun Salleh Abas, the then Lord President of the Supreme Court of Malaysia, in 1988. Opinion was mobilised against Datuk Anwar to support the decision taken. Just as at that time, no reasons were furnished by the prime minister for the dismissal but party stalwarts had no hesitation to agree with it.