De facto Law Minister Dr Rais Yatim said today that the Internal Security Act (ISA) will continue to be enforced in Malaysia despite the government losing several cases in court.

"This does not mean the ISA cannot be used. It is hoped the prime minister's budget speech on ISA will serve as a benchmark and not arouse controversies," he was quoted by national news agency Bernama as saying.

Tabling the 2003 Budget at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the government had spared Malaysia from economic turmoil by observing the rule of law while the ISA had indeed saved the nation.

He noted that the liberal West had conceded that preventive laws were necessary to safeguard internal security.

"If there are no pre-emptive measures, the Muslim fanatics in this country, who resort to terrorism, including exploding bombs and planning to overthrow governments, may cause instability and chaos in the country and subsequently lead to economic downturn," Rais told reporters after launching the Jelebu Barisan Nasional (BN) Jogathon.

Normal to criticise ISA

Dr Rais said since the existence of the Emergency Ordinance 1948, which was later known as ISA, threats posed by communists terrorists and groups, which opposed physically, have been overcome. He said although several aspects of the ISA have been criticised, it was normal as even anti-terrorism laws in the United States were condemned.

He said the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) and other public interest groups have given their views on ISA and the government would give due consideration to their suggestions.

The current study on ISA would take into account views expressed by Suhakam whether it could be implemented or incorporated in future amendments, he said. Several high-ranking officials during the leadership of second Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak and even Dr Mahathir's former political secretary were detained under the ISA, he said.

In fact, more than 30 people, who were not associated with opposition parties, had been held under the ISA, he said.

Rais added that groups which posed a threat to the country's security through economic and subversive means, belittle the legal system and resort to rioting in the social system could be dealt with under the ISA.