Alongside the tabling of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (Pota) , five other bills will be amended as well, says Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

"I will be tabling the Pota in Parliament from April 6 to 9.

"Five other bills would be amended as well, including the Penal Code," he said while chairing the Malaysian Crime Prevention Federation (MCFP) general assembly today.

Zahid ( right ) added the anti-terrorism laws were not similar to the Internal Security Act (ISA) as the power to detain is not under the home minister.

“This is law is different from ISA contrary to what has been claimed by human rights lawyers.

“The executive power to detain is not with the minister but with the crime prevention agencies,” he said.

Zahid also explained that detainees under Pota will have “opportunities for juridical review and can appoint lawyers”, unlike under the ISA.

The minister also hinted that the government would be introducing another law, the Foreign Fighters Act, but did not divulge details on it.

Meanwhile, Zahid said the anti-terrorism laws was much needed in the country as the treat of the Islamic State (IS) is increasing.

“Over 71 people have gone to fight in Iraq and Iran. Ten have died while 61 others are still there,” he told the members present.

Alarmingly, the Bagan Datoh MP said even young children have been recruited by the terror organisation.

“There are two families that sold everything and moved over to Syria, including bringing along their three-month-old infant.

“In Ipoh, seven people have migrated as well, with the youngest being an 11-year-old,” Zahid explained.

The meeting was also attended by inspector-general of police (IGP) Khalid Abu Bakar and former MP Lee Lam Thye.