MALAYSIA: STERN ACTION NEEDED AGAINST MASTERMINDS OF ILLEGAL RALLY

KAMPUNG GAJAH (Malaysia), Aug 3 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian government has to
uphold the law and take stern action against Opposition leaders if they are
found to be the masterminds of the anti Internal Security Act (ISA) illegal
rally on Saturday.

"There is no immunity for those who break the law. The government is not
cruel but those who created trouble were the ones cruel towards the public,"
Rural and Regional Development Minsiter Mohd Shafie Apdal told reporters after
visiting a padi nursery at Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation
Authority (Felcra) Seberang Perak in Kampung Gajah, a small town in a northern
state of Perak in Peninsular Malaysia, Monday.

Mohd Shafie said all quarters should understand that any changes to the ISA
or other laws have to go through parliament.
"As a member of parliament, I feel there is a need to make changes to the
ISA not to abolish, as it is still needed."

He said the government had said it was amending the ISA and as such
Opposition leaders could air their grievances in parliament.

Meanwhile, Felcra chairman Tajuddin Abdul Rahman said
stern action including using the ISA should be taken against those behind the
illegal rally.

He said the government has to take stern action as the people were sick of
the Opposition for creating trouble.

Tajuddin was among several political leaders who
had been detained under the ISA.

-- BERNAMA