ISA be abolished

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today announced the repeal of the Internal Security Act (ISA) 1960.

Speaking in a special message for Malaysia Day, broadcast live on RTM tonight, he also announced the abolition of the Banishment Act 1959 in addition to reviewing several other laws to ensure they meet current needs.

He said the two new laws will be enacted under the right spirit and the umbrella of Article 149 for the prevention of subversion, terrorism and organized crime to public order and security are protected.

"Basically, the later acts aim to keep the peace, prosperity, peace and concord of the people and country life.

"As I promised in my inaugural speech when I first took over as Prime Minister on 3 April 2009, the ISA will be reviewed comprehensively. In this regard, I would like to announce at this historic night, that the ISA be repealed outright,''he said.

He said the new law, the government will continue to ensure that the rights of those involved reserved.

"Any law that is made will take into account the rights and fundamental freedoms, the Federal Constitution.

"The new law will also provide for a period of detention by the police in substantially shorter than the present and any further detention can only be made by order of the court,''he said

However, he said, the law relating to terrorism would be maintained under the authority of the Minister.

In his speech, he said, the government also gave a commitment that any individual will not be detained solely because of political ideology.

"The power to extend detention will also be shifted from the executive body of the judiciary except the law relating to terrorism,''he said.

He added that the government will not hesitate to amend or repeal laws that are not relevant.

In a related development, he said, a review of some national laws are more comprehensive also involve the Restricted Residence Act 1933 and the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.

"For the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, the principle of annual renewal will be removed but will be replaced with the issuance of a license until it is canceled,''he said.

He said the government will review the Police Act 1967 Section 27 taking into account the provisions of Article 10 of the Federal Constitution on the principle of freedom of assembly, strongly oppose street protests,

But he said, the truth of assembly provided in accordance with the rules to be fixed while taking into account the norms at the international level.source-Utusan