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The Internal Security Act was a US law passed in 1950 to register Communist Party members. It was introduced by Senator Pat McCarran after allegations by Senator Joseph McCarthy. Other countries, like Malaysia, also have similar laws to protect national security. The US law led to the blacklisting of over 300 artists and writers. President Truman opposed the law, and it was later repealed. Malaysia’s law prohibits organizations that threaten national security, the wearing of certain uniforms or emblems, and the publication of subversive material.
The Internal Security Act typically refers to an emergency law passed in the United States as a reaction to fears about communism. Formally called the Internal Security Act of 1950 and informally referred to as the Subversive Activities Control Act, this legislation required the fingerprinting and registration of Communist Party members in the U.S. President Harry S. Truman vetoed the act, but his veto was overridden by 90 percent of Congress. Other countries also ban certain activities that threaten national security under legislation called Internal Security Acts, including India and Malaysia.
In the United States, the Internal Security Act was introduced by Nevada Senator Pat McCarran. His action stemmed from a speech by Senator Joseph McCarthy, who announced that more than 200 Communists were living in the United States and seeking to overthrow the government. The House Un-American Activities Committee was formed to work with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to research these allegations. The language of the Internal Security Act states that there has been a worldwide revolution to create dictatorships in every county.
During this historic period marked by fears of Communist infiltration, more than 300 artists and writers were blacklisted as Communists or Communist sympathizers. These entertainers have been prosecuted and some have lost their passports. Adverse publicity ended their careers in some cases. By 1954, the fervor waned and most returned to work. Referred to as McCarthyism, this is considered an embarrassing moment in history by some scholars.
President Truman opposed the Internal Security Act because he thought it unlikely that Communist Party members would register or provide a membership roster. He said curtailing free speech was a step toward totalitarianism that violated the Bill of Rights, a move that would be welcomed by Communists. A provision in the legislation allowed for the emergency detention of anyone suspected of espionage. The law was later repealed.
In Malaysia, the Internal Security Act became law in 1960. It prohibits organizations that threaten the country’s security, including those trained to use force to promote political ideals. Members of a paramilitary group are subject to arrest, search and seizure of property.
Malaysian law also prohibits the wearing of any uniform or emblem representing a group intending to incite violence or usurp the police or military. These items may not be owned, worn, sold or manufactured if deemed to threaten the security of the country. A person who violates the law can be fined and imprisoned.
The law of that country also prohibits the publication, sale or distribution of any information considered subversive. Material that causes hostility between races, incites violence, or goes against the national interest is included in the definition of prohibited publications. The law also prohibits speech or written material that contains false statements that could cause public alarm.
