A recent survey conducted by the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (Asli) has suggested that a majority of Malaysians support the government in retaining the controversial Internal Security Act (ISA) following the Sept 11 terrorist attacks.

According to a summary of the survey posted on Aslis website on Monday, 65 percent of the surveys respondents agreed that the ISA had been successful in combating terrorism and extremism in Malaysia. Twenty-four percent, however, disagreed.

The survey was conducted by Asli to gauge the impact of the Sept 11 terror attacks in New York and Washington on Malaysia.

It sought the views of individuals from various sectors in response to the changes in the countrys economic and political climates in the aftermath of the attacks.

Asli claims the survey was well represented with respondents drawn from major sectors in Malaysia, including from manufacturing, academia and the government.

The survey involved a total of 208 respondents comprising 198 Malaysians and 10 foreigners. Half of them are aged between 18 and 27 years.

Asli, however, did not elaborate on the surveys methodology except to say that all data was obtained by early November last year and analysed using the SPSS, a software it said specialised in market research.

There was also no mention of the surveys duration or the geographical location of the respondents. Nor did it reveal how the questions were phrased.

Not for public

Malaysiakini requested for a full report on the survey but was refused with an Asli official saying the full report was not meant for publication. The official then declined to comment further.

The use of the ISA has been justified by the Malaysian government post-Sept 11 as a means to curb terrorism and religious extremism. The opposition and human rights bodies, however, say the government is employing the ISA to crack down on legitimate dissent.

Since Sept 2001, 31 alleged members of the so-called Malaysian Mujahidin Group (KMM) were arrested under the ISA. Police say the 'militant' group was out to start an armed uprising with the eventual aim of establishing an Islamic state.

The summary of the Asli survey also indicated that a higher percentage of non-Malays were supportive of the ISA compared with Malays.

The survey showed 84 percent of the non-Malay respondents agreed that the government retain the ISA to combat terrorism while only 59 percent of the Malay respondents supported a similar move.

About 74 percent of the non-Malay respondents felt the ISA had effectively helped to preserve racial harmony in the country but only 51 percent of the Malay respondents thought likewise.

Asli, an organisation that promotes leadership, strategic thinking and bilateral business partnerships, is presided by Mirzan Mahathir, a son of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

It is recognised as a major organiser of major conferences and seminars to bring together top political leaders and businessmen to discuss issues of strategic importance to Malaysia and the region.