KUALA LUMPUR – Following criticisms that Malaysia is not doing enough to protect the rights of its people, the Government will outline in its amendments to the Internal Security Act what exactly constitutes a threat to national security.

The Government is bent to amend the ISA to allay fears that the Act is used to only protect political interest and to quash dissent against the Federal ruling party.

Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said the Government has identified five areas of public concern that need to be reviewed, adding that the amendments would be up for the first reading in the March session of Parliament.

While not revealing any details, he said the five areas involved are: the length of detention, rights and treatment of detainees and their families, the power of the Home Minister, the use of the ISA for political reasons and detention without trial.

'We are doing our job'

“When the public sees that their concerns are being looked into, they will realise that we are doing our job sincerely and truthfully.

"I can say for sure that majority of Malaysians will be satisfied with the amendments,” he told reporters here Tuesday.

He said groups that the ministry had had discussions with wanted the Government to “spell out clearly” what was considered a security threat.

He claimed that in reality, those arrested under the ISA were found to have engaged in militant and terrorist activities and were a threat to the country. He added it was not for any political reason although some quarters felt otherwise.

“I cannot jump the gun and reveal the details as yet, but suffice to say that once the amended ISA is revealed, the public will have a better and clearer picture of the Act and what it entails.

No hidden agenda

“We are doing this for the public and no one, including myself, has any interest or hidden agenda,” he said after chairing a high-level meeting looking into the amendments.

Present at the meeting were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department  Nazri Aziz, Culture, Communications and Arts Minister Rais Yatim, Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan and Attorney-General Gani Patail.

Hishammuddin said the draft of the amendments were in the office of the AG’s Chambers and would be presented to the Cabinet once it has been vetted by legal experts.

The minister said he has been updating Prime Minister  Najib Abdul Razak on issues raised by concerned groups and stakeholders. — Malaysian Mirror