The Internal Security Act or ISA - which provides detention without trial - has often been described as a tool employed by the government to quell dissent and incarcerate critics.

Crafted to safeguard national security, the act however earned notoriety when its dragnet extended to opposition politicians, activists and media representatives.

However, newly minted Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has vowed to undertake a comprehensive review of the ISA.

In view of this, Barisan Nasional component Gerakan revealed that it was working on a memorandum for a total review of the ISA so that the law would only be applied to protect the interest and safety of the nation.

Chang Ko Youn In a statement today, Gerakan deputy president Chang Ko Youn said the party's human rights and law bureau was drafting the memorandum with the help of the legal profession and other stakeholders and the memorandum would be submitted to the home minister and cabinet for consideration.

"We advocate a replacement of the ISA with a new statute called 'Anti-Terrorism Act' that would specifically deal with threats from terrorists," said Chang.

"Pending the realisation of the new Act, we support an extensive overhaul of the ISA, through the setting up of a Parliamentary select committee, particularly the part on restoring the power of the judicial review to the courts on ISA matters," he added.

Chang said the ISA should only be used to protect internal security and against terrorism and a review of this law should be in tandem with these two aspects.

He said the party was against the ISA, especially detention without trial against political dissents.

Review Printing Presses Act as well

Apart from this, Chang said the party is also pushing for a review of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, particularly on the annual renewal of licence.

"Perhaps, the government can consider giving a one-time off or either a three or five-year permit," he added.

Yesterday, new Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said national interest and striking a balance between the rights of individuals and the majority would be priorities when reviewing laws which come under the ministry.

He said any review to present laws, including the much talked about review of the ISA must ensure that the three elements were protected.

"Whatever changes that will be made will not jeopardize national interest, safety and unity of this country at a time when the nation is facing many challenges," he said.

lim si pin In another development, Gerakan Youth chief Lim Si Pin welcomed the move to use a 'soft approach' to deal with private media corporations and bloggers to enhance government-media-people relationship.

However, Lim said that the important thing was mutual respect and accountability.

"While the government must be receptive to critical and constructive criticisms from the media, the media has to ensure that information passed on to the public are accurate and not divisive to society," said Lim, adding that no media player would want to break the law.

Lim said there had been cases in the past when misunderstandings and confusion arose amongst the public when the right information from the government did not reach the masses because of bureaucracy.

Yesterday, new Information, Communications, Culture and Arts Minister Dr Rais Yatim said the ministry preferred a 'diplomatic approach' in dealing with private media corporations and bloggers and to take follow-up efforts than legal action against those who have violated the laws.

However, he said those who have broken the laws have to face legal action. "If we do not act on them, it is the fault of the administration. But I stress that using legal action will be our last resort."