On October 23, 2002, the JCLU held its regular meeting in the Atagoyama Bengoshi Building. Members reported on their participation in an international gathering in Bangkok in August. That meeting was concerned with the fact that, since 9/11, various Asian countries, giving anti-terrorEas a reason, have intensified the application of their internal security laws, and have even restricted the human rights of individuals who, properly speaking, have nothing to do with terror. The Bangkok meeting focused on the origins of these problems, on analysis of the situation, and on ways to improve the present state of affairs.
In general, during the Cold war between East and West domestic national security laws were anti-communist in purpose. However after the end of the Cold War, in Asian countries as well, minorities who became impediments to the consolidation of citizens under globalization began to be the targets. 9/11 and terrorismEhave accelerated this development.
It was reported that Malaysias national security law provides for so-called preventive detention; under the law, indefinite detention by order of the Minister of the Interior is possible. Following the establishment of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia, this law is being re-examined. Also it was reported that in a case involving the detention under the same law of five leaders of a movement for government reform, Malaysias Supreme Court handed down a judgment that the detention was unlawful. The five individuals remain in detention, however.