ISA RALLIES: HOME MINISTRY WARNS OF STERN ACTION

KUALA TERENGGANU (Malaysia), July 30 (Bernama) -- The Home Ministry Thursday
warned of stern action to be taken against those who participate in rallies
supporting or opposing the abolition of the Internal Security Act (ISA), on
Saturday.

Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said the move was in line with the ministry's
objective to prevent the issue from having a negative impact on the security and
interest of the country.

"If they violate the law, stern action will be taken against them, no matter
if they are pro-ISA or contra-ISA.

"I will not compromise on this until the security and interest of the
country are assured," he told reporters after presenting special contributions
to ex-policemen who had served during the E mergency (1948-1962) here Thursday.

Hishammuddin was commenting on the Federation of Non-Governmental
Organisations Council's (Magaran) ultimatum, giving the Movement to Abolish ISA
(GMI) until 5pm Thursday to cancel a rally scheduled for Saturday.

Magaran, which comprises 56 non-governmental organisations with over 100,000
members, had said that if GMI persisted with its plan, it would not hesitate to
hold another rally to send a memorandum supporting the ISA to the Malaysian King
on the same day.

Hishammuddin said he had informed Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan to
take stern action against those participating in the rallies.

"In fact, I have also instructed the Kuala Lumpur police chief to closely
monitor the rallies," he said.

The public was also advised not to take part in the rallies as the
government had earlier agreed to review and scrutinise the ISA, he said.
-- BERNAMA