GOVT HOPES TO AMEND SEVERAL ACTS, INCLUDING ISA, IN OCT

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 19 (Bernama) -- The government hopes to amend several acts, including the controversial Internal Security Act (ISA), described as outdated, at the next parliament sitting in October, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said here Wednesday.

Among other acts to be amended include the Police Act, the Multimedia and
Communications Act, the Restrictive Residence Ordinance and Public Security Act.

The minister said this after a high-powered meeting attended by two other
ministers, Attorney-General Gani Patail, Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan
and a host of representatives from other relevant government agencies, at the
home ministry here.

The other two ministers were Information Communication and Culture Minister
Dr Rais Yatim and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Aziz.

Hishammuddin said the coordination committee on the ISA and media control
among the three ministries would meet again next week to fine-tune their
proposals.

"Then, hopefully, we would meet all the relevant people to explain the
amendments. Hopefully, at the next parliament sitting in October, we would table
all the amendments to all the acts for first reading.

"If this is on schedule, then we would debate the amendments at the
parliament sitting after the next, which would be at the end of the year," he
added.

The committee apart, from wanting to reduce the 60-day detention period
under the ISA, also wants acts amended to allow for public assembly at selected
locations, without prior police permit.

"Apart from these acts which we intend to amend, we also discussed how to
increase cooperation between the authorities like the Multimedia Commission and
the police to curb lies and allegations spread over the internet.

"While we respect the freedom of speech and expression, we must also
safeguard the interest of the majority at large...we need to come up with a new
way for this," said Hishammuddin.

He said the ISA would be amended in a way to safeguard the nation, taking
into account, national security and avert the threat of terrorism.

"We are also thinking of reducing the 60-day detention period. The public
should know that this act had been overly politicised although it is relevant
for national security," he added.

Asked if the ISA would be re-named, he said the committee which met today
had yet to decide on that.

Hishammuddin also reiterated that the government would not filter or censor
the internet but ensure only credible information was spread through the new
media.
-- BERNAMA