HOME MINISTRY STUDYING PROPOSAL FOR FORFEITURE OF CITIZENSHIP ACT

PETALING JAYA (Malaysia), Aug 20 (Bernama) -- The Home Ministry is to study
the effectiveness of a proposal to replace the Internal Security Act (ISA) with
a so-called Forfeiture of Citizenship Act for the purpose of ensuring national
security.

"We will undertake a study pertaining to the (proposed) act," said Deputy
Home Minister Abu Seman Yusop when asked to comment on the suggestion by veteran
politician Sanusi Junid to have the new act to penalise those who questioned the
social contract.
Speaking to reporters here Thursday, Abu Seman said every proposal would be
studied to seek the best and most appropriate approach.

He also said that the study to amend the ISA, which was almost completed,
had taken into account the views of various quarters.

"Thus far, we are satisfied with the proposals. We only have to fine-tune
them before tabling (the amendment) at the next session of parliament," he said.

On the proposed amendment to the Police Act to enable public assembly of
people to express themselves in specific places under a controlled environment
without having to obtain a police permit, Abu Seman said the matter was still
under study.

On the first 133 volunteer police personnel having been put on duty in 157
crime hotspots in Kuala Lumpur and three states from Monday, he said the force
comprised personnel of various ethnic groups in line with the 1Malaysia concept.

The volunteer police force, comprising personnel from the People's Volunteer
Corps (Rela) and the Civil Defence Department, has been stationed in the crime
hotspots in Kuala Lumpur city, Selangor, Johor and Penang states.
-- BERNAMA