The people need to think rationally and not be influenced by the shallow politics of certain quarters which are pressing for the Internal Security Act (ISA) to be abolished, said Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein.

hishammuddin hussein home ministry 140409 talking He said while some developed countries which previously preached democracy and freedom of speech had now subscribed to security acts like the ISA, there were groups in this country that simply refused to accept the importance of this Act.

"Even the United States already has its Patriotic Act, the United Kingdom the Anti-Terrorism Act, and in Melbourne (Australia) recently five Somalian terrorists were caught.

"(But) some of us have chosen to waste time in the streets protesting the ISA. Other countries, meanwhile, are trying to strengthen their relevant laws (to deal with security threats), but we already have a specific law to deal with the problem.

" Janganlah kerana marahkan nyamuk, kelambu dibakar (Don't burn the whole mosquito net because the mosquitoes annoy you)," he said.

Acts of revenge

He was asked by reporters to comment on the possibility of the country facing terrorist acts as revenge, following Asia's most wanted terrorist Noordin Mat Top escaping the security dragnet in Indonesia.

He said the possibility was there but it was fortunate that the citizens of this country rejected any form of terrorism.

"As home minister, I would like to assure the public, InsyaAllah (God willing), that the situation in the country is under control. This is what we think about when we want to review the ISA," he said.

On Aug 1, some 30,000 people had taken to the streets in Kuala Lumpur to protest against the security law, which provides detention without trial.

The mammoth protest was led by Pakatan Rakyat leaders, including Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.

- Bernama