New Law Replacing ISA To Also Include Detention Without Trial

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 22 (Bernama) -- The new law to replace the Internal Security Act 1960, which will be repealed, will still provide for detention without trial, said Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein. He said detention withoug trial was also being practised in some countries in the fight against terrorism, such as through the Patriot Act in the United States and Anti-Terrorism Act in the United Kingdom and Australia. "The US, UK and Australia all champion human rights, but they realised that when dealing with militancy and terrorism, they needed to have acts of that nature. "In fact, there are some Malaysians who are being detained by the US in Guatanamo without trial for many years now. So, please don't have double standards and we don't want hypocracy in this matter," he said, here, on Monday. Hishammuddin who had earlier attended the Innovaiton Day celebration and the ministry's monthly assembly, also said that Barisan Nasional, as the ruling government, would be responsible and abide by all new laws to be implemented in the interest of public well-being. "He have learned from the experience of countries which have abolished such acts without thinking long and they paid the price," he added. On Sept 15, Prime Minister Najib Razak in his Malaysia Day special address announced that the ISA would be repealed and two new suitable laws formulated to preserve peace, harmony, stability and prosperity in the country. Asked about new elements to be incorporated in the new acts, Hishammuddin said these would include the period of detention, notice to families of the detainees and making appeals. He opined that they would not be difficult to be implemented as the process of replacing the ISA had begun two years ago. On the Peaceful Assembly Bill 2011 to be tabled in Parliament next week, he said it was in the final stage of drafting by the Attorney-General's Chambers. -- BERNAMA Malaysia