MALAYSIA WANTS COMPREHENSIVE LAW TO DEAL WITH SECURITY ISSUE - PM

KUALA LIPIS (Malaysia), March 20 (Bernama) -- Najib Tun Razak said the
amendment to the International Security Act (ISA) and related laws was to ensure
a comprehensive change in dealing with security issue in the country.

The prime minister said the review was also to keep abreast with times and
the wishes of the people.

"The home minister has brought the matter to the cabinet yesterday and the
ministers agreed that if other related laws are not similarly amended, it will
create an awkward situation," he told reporters after opening the Rural and
Regional Development Ministry's 50th anniversary at Dataran Lipis, here
Saturday.

On Friday, Home Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the
amendment to the ISA would be tabled along with amendments to six other laws.

The six are Prevention of Crime Act 1959 to review its effectiveness in
preventing crimes; Section 27 of the Police Act 1960 relating to staging of
assemblies without a permit; Banishment Act 1959 (Revised 1972) to determine if
the law is still relevant; and Restricted Residence Act 1933 to review its
effectiveness.

Other laws are the Dangerous Drugs Act (Special Preventive Measures) 1985
and the Emergency Ordinance (Public Order and Crime Prevention) 1969.

The ISA aspects to be reviewed are the detention period, rights and
treatment of detainees, powers of the Home Minister and detention without trial.

Najib said the government was serious in bringing about changes on the issue
of security in the country.

"We will study and implement change to these laws in line with current needs
and the wishes of the people," he said.

-- BERNAMA