ISA stays, no amendments

ISA stays, no amendments
KUALA LUMPUR, May 15 ─ The government reiterated yesterday that the Internal Security Act (ISA) has to be retained, not for any political purpose but as a preventive measure to curb and handle activities threatening national security.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said that as such the government had decided to retain the ISA in toto without any change despite pressure from certain quarters including the Opposition.

"Malaysia is a cosmopolitan country comprising various races, religions and cultures, and this law has to be retained to thwart any threat before it emerges. As such, for the moment, the government has no plan to abolish the ISA," he said when winding up debate for his ministry on the motion of thanks for the royal address in the Dewan Rakyat.

Records show that the ISA had been used to contain threats posed by militant terrorism, falsification of Malaysian travel documents, smuggling by illegal immigrants, spying by foreign agents operating in Malaysia, and racial extremism.

Syed Hamid said detention under the ISA was not aimed at penalising but to rehabilitate the detainee.

He also said that the ISA was not a draconian law because it did not deny the detainee his or her fundamental rights.

He said the ISA had helped the country thwart activities threatening national security, which enabled the people to enjoy peace, economic growth and intensive development.

He also said that the government had no intention yet to release the five leaders of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) held under the ISA.

He said the government had not prevented any group from championing the rights of any specific community so long as it was done according to the law.

"Allegations of the government discriminating against any community are untrue. It has to be emphasised that there has been no marginalisation of any community, including the Indian community.

"The term 'marginalisation' has been intentionally used with a political motive and opposition party leaders have garnered support by tarnishing the image of the government. The accusations against the government smacked of falsehood, emotion and racism," he said. ─ Bernama