By Adib Zalkapli
PUTRAJAYA: The government today moved a step closer to amending the controversial Internal Security Act (ISA) which allows for detention without trial, after a meeting of three senior ministers on the proposed changes.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said that there are five areas to be taken into consideration in the amendment.

The five areas are the powers of the home minister, rights of detainees and the family members, period of detention, duration of further detention without trial and the public perception that ISA is used as a political tool.

He said the proposed amendments were drawn up after engaging with all interested parties.

On how the ministry would address the perception that the ISA has been used to curb political dissent, Hishammuddin said the threats posed by detainees would be spelled out clearly for detentions made after the new amendments are passed.

“In a more open world, there is nothing that we can hide,” said Hishammuddin after a meeting with Minister of Communication, Culture and Heritage Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.

Hishammuddin also said that the detention period under the ISA would be reduced in the new amendment, expected to be tabled at the next session of Parliament.

Under the ISA, a suspect can be locked-up for 60 days upon arrest for investigation, which is normally followed by a two-year detention under orders from the minister.

“Because the draft is yet to be presented to the Cabinet I think it is not appropriate for me to disclose it, but believe me it will reflect the suggestions we have received,” he told reporters at his office here.

Hishammuddin, however, said the role of the preventive law would be retained as it is necessary to the security of the country.

“ISA can only be used if the security of the country is under threat, I think nobody disputes that,” he told a press conference.

“There are similar laws enacted by other developed countries such as the United States which currently has a preventive law,” said Hishammuddin in reference to the country’s Patriot Act.

On whether the ministry has enough time to table the amendments at the next session Parliament scheduled to begin next month, Hishammuddin said he does not see any problem.

“It is an ongoing process, even when it’s in Parliament, the engagement will continue, this is how I work anyway,” he said.

Amending the ISA was one of the major promises made by Datuk Seri Najib Razak when he took over the premiership in April last year in an attempt to portray a reformist image.

The amendments were supposed to be tabled during the last Parliamentary session but was delayed as the ministry wanted to a more comprehensive review of the act, said Hishammuddin.

Courtesy: TheMalaysianInsider