PUTRAJAYA, Oct 22- Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said today that draft amendments to the controversial Internal Security Act (ISA) was nearly complete.
“I hope to table the amendments at this sitting of Parliament, for a first reading.”
The home minister said the Attorney General was working on the amendment which focuses on the treatment of detainees, the period of detentions, the perception that the law was abused for political interest, the powers of the minister and detention without trial.
“All concerns about the ISA fall within these five areas.” Hishammuddin told reporters after holding a a dialogue on the amendments.
He said that today’s meeting with Gerakan representatives, the media and academicians was the fourth dialogue he has held with stakeholders.
Also present today were representatives from Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung (GPMS) and Pertubuhan Kebajikan & Dakwah Islamiah SeMalaysia (Pekida).
Hishammuddin said the government was looking into seeking the views of as many interest groups as possible, before the amendments are tabled.
Once the amendments are tabled there should be no excuse for any party to oppose them because the views of all parties would have been taken into account, he said.
He said he would also meet all Muftis and the Bar Council at the next dialogue.
“It’s better for the amendments to be discussed in a constructive manner, rather than for some parties to take to the streets,” he said.
“Be constructive, demonstrations won’t get us anywhere,” he said.
He added the government was interested in getting a consensus from the people about the amendments and he was upbeat about the discussions with the public so far.
“We have a rough idea about what the people want and there are some agreements from all parties.
“I can see a consensus building up.” he said.
For example, there has been no opposition to the use of the ISA for the prevention of terrorism, he said.
He said that if the public wanted the initial period of detention to be reduced from 60 days to 30 it would be done.
“But they cannot blame us later if is does not work,” he said.
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we never heard there were survey forms distributed to the layman on the street
all interest groups are group with self interest i.e. Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung (GPMS) and Pertubuhan Kebajikan & Dakwah Islamiah SeMalaysia (Pekida), all lackeys of bn
bullshit minister