TWO NGOs WANT GOVERNMENT TO MAINTAIN ISA

PENANG (Malaysia), July 28 (Bernama)-- Two non-governmental organisations in
northern state of Penang want the government to maintain the Internal Security
Act (ISA) as a mechanism to preserve peace in the country.

The Putra Association of Penang and Al-Ehsan Organisation of Malaysia, both
formed about four years ago, opined that the Act did not pose any threat to
those who did not go against the law.

"The ISA has proven to curb certain quarters from causing chaos in the
country," said the founder of the Putra Association of Penang, Wan Balkis Wan
Abdullah, to reporters here Tuesday.

About 50 members from both organisations and carrying banners gathered at
Komtar's grounds Tuesday to protest against any move to abolish the ISA.
However, police broke up the 30-minute illegal gathering.

Al Ehsan president Mohd Ridzwan Sulaiman who was present at the gathering,
said the organisation would send a memorandum soon to the relevant authorities
to urge them not to abolish the ISA.

He said only those with a certain agenda or bad motive would want the ISA to
be abolished.
-- BERNAMA