ABSTRACT
This chapter defines arbitrary detention according to the three criteria established by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, Resolution No. 1997/50. It details the historical record of arbitrary detentions in Singapore, and highlight efforts of activism targeting the removal of the Internal Security Act (ISA) in chronological order. The chapter focuses on the history of activism following independence, what happened between 1954 and 1965 laid the foundation for Singapore's long tradition of activism against arbitrary detention. Activism against legislation of arbitrary detention was led by left-wing parties and trade unions. Poh Soo Kai, a founding member of the People's Action Party (PAP), identifies himself first as an activist, second as a politician. Academics have noted that both the British administration and Lee were reluctant to be perceived as responsible for the ISA detention of the Barisan Sosialis members, for fear of having to answer to the British Parliament and the dissatisfaction of the Singaporean public.
