KOTA BARU Member of Parliament (MP) Datuk Wan Abd Rahim Wan Abdullah’s response to the MP Watch: Eye on Parliament project, which asks all 222 MPs six questions.
Name: Wan Abd Rahim Wan Abdullah
Constituency: Kota Baru
Party: PAS
Years as MP: Since 2008
Government position: None
Party position:
• Kota Baru PAS chief
• PAS Kelantan elections director
Membership in parliamentary committees or caucuses:
• Asean Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus member
Blog/Website: None
Original deadline: 4 May 2010
Responses submitted: 12.28pm, 14 July 2010
Would you support the abolition/review of the Internal Security Act (ISA), in particular the provision that allows for detention without trial? Why or why not?
I fully support the ISA’s abolition because it’s a draconian piece of law. So many [have] suffered from detention without trial, and it’s against the principles of Islam and human rights.
Do you think Malaysia should be a secular or an Islamic state? Why?
Malaysia should eventually be an Islamic state. But this can only be achieved in the long run after citizens fully understand that Islam is fair to everybody. An Islamic state cannot be forced on the rakyat.
PAS understands the difficulties in achieving this goal. So the party is not rushing our Pakatan Rakyat partners and it will not be an obstacle for us to move forward in the struggle for a fair and level-playing field in Malaysian democracy.
How do you define your role as an elected MP? Does Parliament provide you with the necessary infrastructure and support to fulfill your role?
As an elected MP, I will bring the aspirations of PAS and the needs of my constituents to Parliament. All MPs should be given the opportunity to have a personal research assistant so that every MP’s speech in Parliament is well prepared. And the federal allocations to each MP should not be restricted to Barisan Nasional MPs alone.
Would you support a Freedom of Information Act? Why or why not?
Everyone fighting for a more level-playing field in democracy should support a Freedom of Information Act. After more than 50 years of independence, Malaysia must be able to [step up] to the changes in global values and attitudes towards [achieving] a more developed nation.
If there was one thing you could do to strengthen parliamentary democracy in Malaysia, what would it be?
Malaysians should be taught to be able to understand citizens’ freedom in a democratic nation. No one should be threatened because of their race or origins.
Do you believe in separation of powers between the executive, Parliament and judiciary? Why or why not?
The separation of powers between the administration, Parliament and judiciary is the foundation of a democratic nation. 
For other MP responses, see Full MP list
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