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Published: Saturday August 1, 2009 MYT 3:00:00 PM
Updated: Saturday August 1, 2009 MYT 8:54:15 PM

ISA may be amended at next parliament sitting: Hishamududdin


NILAI: The Internal Security Act (ISA) might be amended at the next sitting of the Dewan Rakyat, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

However, he said, it would depend when a study carried out by legal officers and discussions with interested groups were completed.

"If they do not agree with the proposed amendment, we will give them more time before tabling the bill," he told reporters after opening the Rasah Umno division delegates meeting here Saturday.

Hishammuddin said he had received a draft of the bill and regretted that the opposition chose to stage an anti-ISA demonstration in the capital Saturday.

The government had promised to amend the ISA and any demand should be made through negotiations and not street protests or riots, he added, Bernama reported.

Meanwhile Ruben Sario reported from Kota KInabalu that Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said Saturday that the government had no intention of abolishing the Internal Security Act (ISA), a law that has ensured stability in the country,

He said amendments aimed at ensuring ISA was not abused, including reducing the detention period without trial from 60 days to 30 days, could however be considered.

“The ISA is a necessary law,” said Nazri, after launching the Papar Umno membership recruitment drive and website in Papar town.

He said Barisan Nasional lawmakers would also not bow to any attempts by the opposition for a motion to abolish the ISA in Parliament.

“As long as Barisan Nasional is leading the government, the ISA will not be abolished,” Nazri said when asked about the anti ISA rally in Kuala Lumpur Saturday.

He said the rally was another attempt by opposition groups to undermine the administration of Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“The Prime Minister enjoys the popularity and support of the people. This is just another way for the opposition to try to chip away this support,” Nazri added.

Meanwhile, Bernama reported that Legal action would be taken against tertiary students found participating in anti or pro ISA gatherings, said Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin. "If there are students involved in the gatherings and if they allow themselves to be victimised and used for other people's agenda, I will not protect them," he told reporters after opening the Asean Universities Build and Break Competition 2009 in Bangi Saturday.

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