‘Time ripe to review security laws’
(NST) PUTRAJAYA: The current situation in the country warranted a review of all preventive and detention laws, including the Internal Security Act, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
A review of the laws, detention provisions, power of the ministers and issues regarding legal and illegal assemblies and freedom of speech, will be carried out soon.
"I have directed the best minds and legal officers in the relevant departments to conduct studies," Hishammuddin said after chairing his ministry's post-cabinet meeting yesterday.
He said the ministry would undergo a major restructuring exercise to reflect the commitment and firmness to maintaining national security while prioritising the people's needs.
"The review must reflect our capabilities to balance between the rights of an individual and those of the majority.
"This is crucial for our future generation and the country's stability."
Hishammuddin added that the people were mature enough to understand that it must happen within the law.
"If we don't do it, they will go to the streets. Time has changed. We have to listen and balance the needs and aspirations of the public and, at the same time, try to convince them that their aspirations sometimes may jeopardise the safety of the majority."
On the arrest of 11 DAP members, including two elected representatives on Tuesday night, Hishammuddin dismissed claims that the government was clamping down even on small gatherings.
The 11 had taken part in a candlelight vigil to "mourn the demise of democracy in Perak" outside the office of Seputeh member of parliament Teresa Kok.
They were dressed in black but he denied that those who wore black were targeted as there had been similar incidents of people in black being detained.
"Of course, it is not an offence to wear black. I would be naive to say that we will imprison anyone who wears black. But there is more to it.
"We should not look at just one single incident but national security on the whole.
"There are still many out there who refuse or fail to understand that it takes a lot of work to make this country peaceful and stable.
"I am not in the business of spinning but in the business of ensuring security," he said, adding there had been larger gatherings which were undisturbed.
"This is a positive development but why don't you report this?"
