KOTA KINABALU, Nov 8 – The Home Ministry will appeal against yesterday’s court decision to free Malaysia Today website editor Raja Petra Kamaruddin from detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA).
Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said the ministry disagreed with the court decision but it would still be respected.
“To me, if there is anyone saying the court in our country is not independent, this decision proves that the judiciary and the judicial process in the country are independent and the decisions are not always in favour of the government.
“Though we disagree with the decision, we will appeal,” he told reporters here today.
He said Raja Petra’s detention under the ISA was a preventive measure before the occurrance of a religious-based conflict and misunderstanding as a result of the editor’s write-ups in the website.
Syed Hamid said if something untoward happens following actions by certain
parties or individuals, the ISA which contains preventive laws is not effective.
“But the court has the right to interpret decisions taken by a minister according to the powers given under the law.
“The power is given under the Malaysian constitution to legislate preventive acts,” he said.
He said the ministry would also get a detailed explanation from the court so that doubts would not exist in taking certain actions under the ISA provisions, including the minister’s power to make decisions to detain someone. – Bernama
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