ISA Bill delayed as other laws need reforms too

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 — The Najib Administration will not table proposed amendments to the Internal Security Act (ISA) in the current parliament sitting as it needs to reform other security laws too.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein (picture) said the Cabinet decided the amendments has to be tabled with reforms in other preventive laws.

“The Cabinet today decided that the ISA amendments must be tabled with other preventive laws based on security and public order issues,” Hishammuddin said in a statement released tonight.

Critics have demanded the abolition of the security law that allows detention without trial, saying it has been used for political purposes.

The government has denied the claims but said it will amend the law.

“In the people’s interests, the Home Ministry and the Attorney-General’s Chambers will review the matter for public interest and the Bar Council has agreed to cooperate in the review,” Hishammuddin said.

He said the weekly Cabinet meeting today agreed several amendments covering detention period, detainee’s rights and treatment, Minister’s power, public perception that the law is used for political purposes and detention without trial.

Among those at the Cabinet meeting were AG Tan Sri Gani Patail and Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Mahmood Adam

Hishammuddin said the other laws to be reviewed include the Prevention of Crime Act 1959 (effectiveness of crime prevention laws), Section 27 of the Police Act 1960 (public assembly without a permit), Banishment Act 1959 (Revised 1972) (relevancy of the law), Restricted Residency Act 1933 (effectiveness of law and directives), Dangerous Drugs Act (Special Preventive Rules) 1985 and the Emergency Ordinance (Public Order and Crime Prevention) 1969.

This is the second Bill withdrawn from the current parliament with the first being the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill which has drawn outcry from the opposition.

The government has also ditched a new two-tiered petrol price subsidy scheme that was due to be implemented in May as it was too complex and unpopular.