Call off ISA rallies, Hisham tells groups

The Sun
Husna Yusop

PUTRAJAYA (July 29, 2009) : The two feuding parties involved in the mammoth Internal Security Act (ISA) rallies in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday have been told not to continue with their plan as they would probably create a chaotic situation.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said there is no point of having the rally for or against the ISA because the government has already said the Act will be reviewed.

"I agree with the police, they should not continue the demonstrations. They did not request a permit, so they are illegal assemblies. Are they really fighting for a cause or simply wanting to create chaos?" he said after the ministry's post-cabinet meeting today.

"I am disappointed with this. We have already said we are going to review the ISA but while we are doing this, there are people out to exploit, sensationalise and politicise the ISA issue."

Hishammuddin was commenting onreports that two rallies -- one against ISA planned the Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA (GMI), and another for ISA organised by the Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia (Perkasa) -- were being planned.

Kuala Lumpur police chief DCP Datuk Mohd Sabtu Osman has said he was willing to meet GMI and Perkasa representatives to convince them to call off the rallies.

He said police would take action against those planning or joining the ISA campaigns.

Hishammuddin said the police will monitor the situation closely and take action in case of any violation of laws.

On a report linking people’s representatives with underworld activities (kongsi gelap), he said he has already asked the police to look into the matter.

"This must be investigated as it does not only tarnish the image of people’s representatives but also the good name of the legislative assemblies," he said.

On unhappy voices over a report by a Malay tabloid about the background of the late movie and advertising director Yasmin Ahmad, Hishammuddin said he has yet to receive any memorandum or written complaint on it.

However, should there be any complaint or memorandum, he will ask the relevant divisions in the ministry to look at it from the legal angle.

He said that personally, the report, published on Monday, a day after she died, "was not proper, against our values and has no mercy for the deceased’s family members."

"Even if they want to sensationalise things, it should not be to the extent of forgetting our roots and culture, our religious and racial values," he said.

On another matter, Hishammuddin said in line with the National Key Result Area placed under him to fight crimes, the ministry is recruiting more Rela and Civil Defence members to become voluntary police.

Effective Aug16, after going through a two-week training, 254 selected members will start their duties in 157 hot spots which the police have identified.