ISA detention not due to ideology, says Syed Hamid
by Yong Min Wei, The Edge
An individual is not detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) due to his ideology but because he is perceived to be a threat to national security, Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar Syed Jaafar Albar said.
He said the government invoked the ISA on those whose actions could cause chaos or undermine racial harmony, adding that the authorities would always monitor activities that might be a threat to peace and security.
“We do not discriminate based on an individual’s race, colour and culture when making arrests under the ISA,” he told reporters after attending the opening of the Dewan Rakyat sitting by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin yesterday.
According to Syed Hamid, there were currently about 40 ISA detainees in Kamunting, the majority of whom were from Jemaah Islamiyah and Darul Islamiah.
He said from time to time, the government would release ISA detainees subject to the recommendation of the relevant authorities and the detainees’ rehabilitation process.
“We may release detainees with or without conditions, it depends,” Syed Hamid said.
He confirmed that three ISA detainees who had spent some six years in detention were released recently.
On the five Hindraf detainees who were said to be uncooperative, the home minister said it was not entirely true. Some of them were reported to be cooperating and accepting the fact that they were rehabilitated to be integrated with society and to maintain racial harmony, he said.
He added that the government had no plans to review or repeal the ISA as there were still those who were extreme in their actions and sentiments and had little regard for racial unity and stability.
Asked to comment on talk that some non-governmental organisations and civil groups were planning an anti-ISA protest next month, Syed Hamid said: “They can do whatever they think is right.”
On nude photographs of a Selangor executive councillor that had been circulated online and via MMS, Syed Hamid said: “PKR have people with problems and they should settle their problems first.”
He pointed out there was a need for candidates eyeing parliamentary and state assembly seats to undergo vetting, stressing that it was not a good option by the opposition to group elected representatives just to form the state government in Selangor.
He also said since the executive councillor concerned had made a police report on the nude pictures, all quarters should allow the police time to investigate.
“You may take naked pictures in your own home but make sure the public do not get their hands on them,” he added.
