Repeal of ISA months away

The Sun (Used by permission)
by CHARLES RAMENDRAN

KUALA LUMPUR: It will take months of brainstorming and discussion to ensure the repeal of the Internal Security Act and other emergency laws is viable before coming into effect, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said yesterday.

The discussions, apart from taking place internally in the force, will also extend to relevant ministries, the Attorney-General’s Chambers, law experts and non-governmental organisations.

“We have our preparations and will hold discussions and forums for the plan to repeal ISA and other laws. This will take several months before we fulfil the objective. Our responsibility in the end should be the security of the country and the well-being of the people. 

“Our priority is ensuring the security of the nation is not compromised with the changes which will take place,” he said, after launching triage services at police stations which will enable police to attend to cases more efficiently.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak had announced the repeal of the ISA, Emergency Ordinance, Restricted Residence Act and Banishment Act last week in a move by the government to enrich democracy.  Meanwhile, several senior police officers who spoke on anonymity said the laws which will replace the ones to be repealed should be effective enough to keep criminals off the streets.

Referring to the Emergency Ordinance and Restricted Residence Act, sources said the legislation, although not providing trial in a court of law, has been used sparingly and was effective in fighting crime.

“The EO and Restricted Residence Act has only been invoked on less than 1% of the criminals nabbed. These are hardcore criminals. We have evidence they are responsible for the criminal act but at times it 

is insufficient to charge them in court. If we release them back into society, they may repeat the crimes and this will pose a threat to the public. This is when the EO and similar laws are used to rehabilitate these criminals,” said an officer.

The sources said invoking such laws is not done at the whims and fancies of the police but goes through a stringent process where federal police study the cases before making their recommendations to a panel made up of officers from the Home Ministry and even retired judges.

“At times when state police recommend a suspect be banished, it is shot down by Bukit Aman after perusing the report of the case even before it goes to the panel members. There is strict vetting and scrutiny before the EO is invoked,” said one source.

It is learnt that among the proposals police intend to produce to the government are to shorten the period of the initial 60-day detention under the EO.