STUDY OF LAWS IN 18 COUNTRIES FOR I.S.A. REVIEW

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 8 (Bernama) -- In its effort to review the Internal Security
Act (ISA), the government is carrying out a comparative study of the preventive
laws in 18 countries including the United States, Deputy Home Minister Abu Seman
Yusop said Thursday.

He said the other countries were Singapore, Australia, Tanzania, Brunei,
India, the United Kingdom, Thailand, Bangladesh, Ireland, Ghana, Uganda, Timor
Leste, South Korea, Macau, Bahrain and Sri Lanka.

The preventive laws of the United States being looked at were the Patriot
Act 2001 and the Homeland Security Act 2002, he told reporters at his office
here.

Abu Seman said the ISA would be amended in accordance with the country's
model.

He also said that non-governmental organisations, academicians and the
public with whom the ministry had held discussions did not want the ISA to be
repealed.

"They want the ISA to be retained to ensure security of the nation and
people but have asked for it to be amended for improvement in terms of
safeguarding human rights and transparency," he said.

He said discussions would continue to be held until the amendment bill was
tabled in parliament this month.

On the threat by the Benteng Demokrasi Rakyat (Bendera) group of Indonesia
to invade Malaysia Thursday armed with bamboo spears, Abu Seman said the
security forces were on the alert to face any eventuality.

Bendera was reported to be getting ready to invade Malaysia to "avenge" all
alleged wrongs committed against Indonesia.
-- BERNAMA