Newly-appointed Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein today hinted that there may be a review or amendments to the Internal Security Act (ISA) and laws controlling the media.

"I have to engage NGOs and stakeholders, especially those concerned with the ISA and involved in media and publication," he told his maiden press conference as home minister in Putrajaya today.

However, Hishammuddin was coy about what exactly he has planned, except for stating that national interest comes first should there be any review of the laws.

He said that the ISA and media laws were among 40 statutes that would come under his purview and any amendments would have to take into account of all these statutes to ensure there is no overlapping.

Giving an example, Hishammuddin said that they would be checking if the provisions similar to that of the ISA were already covered in the 40 statutes.

"But the paramount aspect that I will be considering revolves around national interest, safety and the ability to balance the rights of the individual and the rights of the majority," he said.

"I will assure that whatever changes that are made will not jeapordise whatever we have built this far as a nation. It will not jeapordise the safety and unity and ability for us to move forward," he added.

No comment on ‘thinner' case

To a question, Hishammuddin said it was still too early to decide if an independent committee was necessary to conduct the review of the ISA.

Soon after Hishammuddin's press conference, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak at a separate function confirmed that a review of the ISA was forthcoming, but also declined to reveal details.

"I have some idea (on it). We will discuss with him (Hishammuddin) first and we will inform the public," Najib said, reports Rahmah Ghazali .

Previously, Hishammuddin's predecessor Syed Hamid Albar has signaled on April 8 that the government intends to review the ISA and other preventive detention laws.

Syed Hamid will be officially handing over the ministry to Hishammuddin tomorrow.

Today is Hishamuddin's first day at the ministry and it started with a briefing by department officials under the ministry.

Meanwhile, when asked about a case of alleged police abuse, Hishammuddin said he would not be commenting on individual cases unless it involved policy matters.

The victim’s family members have claimed that he was a police abuse victim and rejected police claims that he voluntarily consumed paint thinner while in police custody.

They are currently seeking an independent probe on the abuse allegations.

[VIDEO:16958]