Friday, 31st July - KUALA TERENGGANU: Stern action will be taken against those who participate in rallies tomorrow, whether supporting or opposing the abolition of the Internal Security Act (ISA) .

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said this was to prevent the issue from having a negative impact on the security of the country.

“I will not compromise on this,” he said after presenting special contributions to ex-policemen who served during the Emergency (1948-1962) here yesterday.

Hishammuddin was commenting on the Pembela Negara Federation of Non-Governmental Organisations Council’s (Magaran) ultimatum, giving the Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA (GMI) until 5pm to cancel a rally scheduled for tomorrow.

Magaran, which comprises 56 NGOs with over 100,000 members, said that if GMI continues with its plan, it would not hesitate to hold another rally to send a memorandum supporting the ISA to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong tomorrow.

Hishammuddin said he had informed Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan to take stern action against those taking part in the rallies.

“I have also instructed Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Muhammad Sabtu Osman to monitor the situation,” he said.

The Government had earlier announced that it would review the ISA.

In Petaling Jaya, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar urged the organisers to cancel the rally and reminded Malaysians not to participate.

He said GMI had planned and urged the public to attend a gathering known as the “100,000 rakyat” gathering at several locations, including at Masjid Jamek, Kompleks Sogo and Masjid Negara, tomorrow.

“On the same day, Majlis Permuafaktan Ummah (Pewaris) and Perkasa and several other coalitions are also planning to have a gathering at Padang Merbok, Pasar Seni and Masjid Negara in Kuala Lumpur to press for the ISA to be maintained,” he said in a statement.

He said even though the organisers had assured that the events would be held peacefully, these events were still unlawful and are threats to public order.

GMI meanwhile said the gathering would go on as scheduled tomorrow.

Kamaruzaman Mohamad, a committee member for the rally, said it would be a peaceful gathering and therefore did not require a permit.