MALAYSIAN GOVT WILL NOT HESITATE TO USE ISA AGAINST THOSE PLAYING UP RELIGIOUS ISSUES

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 13 (Bernama) -- Home Minister Hishammuddin Tun
Hussein said the Malaysian government will not hesitate to use the Internal Security Act (ISA) against those playing up religious and racial issues as it will affect national security.

He assured that the ministry would investigate and identify those
responsible for throwing firebombs at several churches.

"We will not hesistate to use the law including the ISA and will act against
anybody irrespective of their background," he said in the 'Special
Question-Answer" programme on TV3 Tuesday night.

TV3 is Malaysia's first commercial television station.

Hishammuddin reminded the public not to believe the SMS messages being
circulated as the ministry and police were keeping them informed of the latest
developments.

"We had issued official information via the ministry and police. We did
not make it up and reported as it is," he said.

Investigation since Jan 8 however showed that the attacks were not planned
and coordinated by certain groups.

Hishammuddin said the government had always been cautious in its action to
check threats against national security.

-- BERNAMA