The Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) said today while it wants the Internal Security Act (ISA) repealed, it nevertheless urged the government to ensure that any amendment to the preventive detention law adhere to human rights principles.

"Suhakam has consistently called for the repeal of the ISA and its replacement with a new, comprehensive legislation that takes a tough stand on the threat to national security which should also fall in line with the fundamental human rights principles," said new chairperson Hasmy Agam, adding that Suhakam welcomed the government's move to amend the ISA.

He however called on the government to ensure that amendments to the ISA, currently being undertaken, hold fast to human rights principles on detainees' right to personal liberty and the right to a fair trial.

It was also a detainee's right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty as enunciated in Articles 3, 10 and 11(1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948, he said.

Hasmy did not elaborate how this could be done given that ISA allows detention without trial.

Suhakam, said Hasmy, concurred with the initial findings and recommendations of the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention who visited Malaysia recently.

The Working Group had, among others, recommended that the government repeals or amends ISA and three other preventive laws, the Emergency Ordinance, the Dangerous Drugs Act and the Restricted Residence Act.

The panel also held a meeting with Suhakam.

Hasmy said Suhakam welcomed the panel's recommendation for the government to strengthen Suhakam in line with the Paris Principles and to take necessary measures to ensure Suhakam's ‘A’ status was maintained in the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights.