ISA could have prevented Bali tragedy, says Syed Hamid

comments     Yusof Ghani     Published     Updated

The bombings in Bali could have been prevented if Indonesia had a security law similar to the Internal Security Act to deal with terrorists, said Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar today.

He said although the neighbouring government was serious in combating terrorism, it could not employ preventive measures because it lacked the mechanism to do so.

"In the process of democratisation and development of human rights, as told by western countries, Indonesia does not have any mechanism to take such an action," he added.

Speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby, Syed Hamid said Malaysia has been somewhat successful in curbing terrorism and this justified the use of the security law.

He added that, despite the law being labelled as "draconian" by some, it was still the best protection against terrorism and its absence could have led to the loss of many lives.

"If we were to abide by human rights and civil liberty, many people could have died," said the minister when asked to comment on the bombings in Bali.

In the tragedy last Saturday, 189 people died while 300 more were injured when powerful car bombs ripped through two nightclubs in the popular island resort.

Most of the victims were foreigners, predominantly Australians.

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