ISA REVIEW: HOME MINISTER SUGGESTS FOCUS ON SEVERAL ITEMS

KUALA LUMPUR, April 8 (Bernama) -- Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar
has suggested that the Internal Security Act (ISA) review to include studies on
the police's power to detain suspects and create special officers to handle such
cases.

Under the existing law, the police can detain a suspect for 60 days for
investigation under the Act before the Home Minister, who has the power to
extend the detention, issues an order to extend the period.

"Police have the power to detain for 60 days, to challenge this is
difficult. May be this thing can be studied, is it too long or if long (does it
need) to be referred to court," he told Bernama at his residence in Bukit
Damansara here Tuesday.

He said that it was also important to relook at the interpretation of
national security and public order -- two crucial elements which always became
the basis to the detention of individuals under ISA.

He said when the government conducts a review on ISA, it also needs to
review two other preventive laws, namely the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive
Measures) Act 1985 and Emergency Ordinance 1969.

On a suggestion for the ISA title be changed, Syed Hamid said it would not
end people's anxiety over the Act.

"If the body remains the same, it will not bring effects. Most importantly,
what the people fear, unhappy and concern about are provisions that enable us to
take action without bring questioned in court. That is considered going against
human rights and freedom," he said.

Syed Hamid said that in his opinion, that most important was not the
question of abolishing ISA but "the question that arises is concerns over power
abuse either by the police or minister".

"I think we have to free these processes but it is not the intention and
objective of the government to abolish ISA," he said.

Najib Tun Razak's announcement to review ISA in his maiden speech
as prime minister gave the people an opportunity to discuss the issue openly to
enable the government to find the best way and approach in line with the
people's aspiration," he said.


"It is smart for Najib to raise the matter to be used as a point of
discussion again... a leader who puts his heart into the wishes of the people.
Meaning the people can be involved, can give views but at the same time it must
be constructive, not trying to find political space and chances to attack".

Syed Hamid said the government's sincerity to review the controversial Act
should not be disputed.

"We are in a situation where we cannot promise without fulfilling it. The
people will assess and judge us. It is a commitment and this commitment is
serious. If it becomes empty promises, we will be gravely penalised in the next
election," he said.

Syed Hamid said he also saw the Restricted Residence Act 1993 as absolete
and needed to be repealed.

On the Printing Presses Act, he said the government also needed to look
seriously whether it was still relevant.

-- BERNAMA