Mon, Nov 2 2009 - KUALA LUMPUR: Gerakan delegates want the government to review the Internal Security Act 1960 and other laws deemed repressive, such as the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.

They said these laws should be revised, overhauled and repealed or replaced, if necessary, to conform with the values of human rights and democracy.

This was one of the 12 declarations adopted at the party's national delegates conference.

The delegates also called for the right to peaceful assembly.

They declared that the Federal Constitution must be upheld, protected and defended by all Malaysians and called for the Rukun Negara to be reaffirmed and re-emphasised.

The delegates called for the concept of 1Malaysia to be promoted, realised and used as a guide for formulating government policies and programmes as a means to further strengthen national unity.

They said entry examinations for all public universities must be standardised to encourage genuine meritocracy, which should apply to employment and promotions in the public sector and public universities.

Delegates called for greater efforts to be taken to combat crime by the police, as well as upgrading the force's capacity and effectiveness and encourage public participation in crime prevention.

On the country's economy, delegates called for it to be further liberalised to improve its competitiveness and resilience, as well as for the national and ministerial Key Results Areas (KRAs) to be accorded priority in the 2010 budget and planning of the 10th Malaysian Plan.