Bangi, Jan 13 – There is no need to revive the Internal Security Act (ISA) as it is inconsistent with present human and civil rights practices, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said today.
He noted that the existing statutes were adequate to resolve the various issues at present including the threat of terrorism, among them the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).
“As for issues which touch upon the sensitivities of the people we have the Sedition Act, not to mention the Penal Code for all types of crimes,” he told reporters after closing the “2014 1st Down Under Camp” organised by the Malaysian Students Council of Australia here Sunday.
Khairy further denied claims that Sosma, which replaced the ISA, was too lenient to handle current issues.
“I disagree that the ISA’s replacement is too soft because Sosma is meant for terrorists and not political enemies. If they’re political enemies we can debate or contest them during elections. We don’t have to detain them. That is outdated politics,” he said.
He was commenting on Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s statement yesterday that the government would not be reviving the ISA.
Meanwhile, Pertubuhan Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah Malaysia (Aswaja) proposed that the government enact a prevention of religious extremists Act to curb extremist and radical groups.
Aswaja chairman, Zamihan Mat Zin said such an Act would be a wise alternative for handling conflicts and resolving issues before the situation worsens as there seem to be an increase in sensitive issues cropping up after the repeal of the ISA in 2011.
“As the ISA won’t be revived, such preventive laws could be relevant to safeguard harmony and public order,” he said.
– Bernama
