Move to provide clearer picture of offences under ISA PDF Print E-mail
Written by ERA Administrator   
Wednesday, 10 February 2010 07:50
PUTRAJAYA: Amendments to the highly-controversial Internal Secu­rity Act (ISA) is expec­­ted to outline in detail acts defined as a threat to national security.

This was to dispel certain perception that the Act was being used to protect the political interest of certain parties.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hisham­muddin Tun Hussein said the ministry had been engaging groups on the matter, and these concerned people had wanted the Government to spell out clearly what was defined as security threat to the nation.

He said those arrested under the ISA were found to have engaged in militancy and terrorist activities.

“Once the amended ISA is reveal-ed, the public will have a better and clearer picture of the Act.

“We are doing this for the public and no one, including myself, has any interest or hidden agenda,” he said yesterday after chairing a high-level meeting to look to the amendments of the Act.

Also present at the meeting were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, Culture, Communications and Arts Minister Datuk Seri Rais Yatim, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan and Attorney-General (A-G) Tan Sri Gani Patail.

Hisham­­­muddin said the draft of the amendments were in the A-G Chamber’s office and would be presented to the Cabinet once it has been looked through by legal experts.

The Act will be up for its first reading in the coming Parliament session starting March.

The minister said the amendments would involve the five areas of public concern – the length of detention, rights and treatment of detainees and their families, the power of the Home Minister, the use of ISA for political reasons and detention without trial.

“When the public sees that their concerns are being looked into, they will realise that we are doing our job sincerely and truthfully.

“I can say for sure that majority of Malaysians will be satisfied with the amendments,” he said.