The two new Acts to replace the Internal Security Act will provide balance between promoting civil liberties and safeguarding public order.

Premier Najib Abdul Razak told the Dewan Rakyat today that the move would allow Malaysia to move towards a mature democracy.

"The government's machinery firmly supports the government's move to repeal the ISA and replace it with two new Acts that will take into account the need to provide a balance between (promoting) individual rights and civil liberties, and safeguarding public order," he said in reply to a supplementary question from Alexander Nanta Linggi (BN-Kapit) during Question time, today.

Nanta had asked whether the government had any specific instrument or legislation to deal with problems previously dealt with under the ISA and whether the civil service was supportive of the move to repeal the security act.

To a supplementary question from Nurul Izzah Anwar (PKR-Lembah Pantai) whether the government was prepared to use the Emergency Revocation Bill prepared by the opposition pact, Najib said the opposition should not try to take credit from

the move.

"I hope the opposition will not try to take credit from this move. We've announced this since 2009. This (repeal of ISA) is not due to any demand by Pakatan Rakyat; it's the BN's own initiative," he said.

The time frame for the new legislations would be announced later, the prime minister added: "There are matters to be addressed first, including formulating the two acts as well as consulting the parties representing the interest of the people."

Crucial pillar

To another question by Nanta on the government's strategies to unite the people, Najib said the 1Malaysia vision was the crucial pillar in the government's effort to nurture unity.

He said the 1Malaysia vision was being inculcated in each and every initiative and programme of the government.

"To nurture unity, programmes to promote integration has been and will continue to be implemented, covering activities like sports, youth programmes and national service modules; and in universities, ethnic relations course is a must for all students," he said.

The prime minister added that the Special Committee to Promote Inter-religious Understanding and Harmony has also been set up since early last year to provide avenue to discuss inter-religious issues through consultations, dialogues and initiatives to solve inter-religious issues and issues concerning followers of religions.

- Bernama

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