Former attorney-general, now Suhakam chief, Abu Talib Othman airs his views o­n the state of the judiciary and defends his previous role as chief prosecutor for the controversial ISA crackdown in 1987.

Malaysiakini: Suhakam (this month) came up with an Internal Security Act (ISA) law review document. What happens next?

Abu Talib:

That was a momentous task. We have completed a review of the ISA and we have submitted it to the Home Affairs Ministry. Insofar as legislation is concerned, we are o­nly able to play an advisory role.

We have advised them o­n the implications of the use of the ISA which in many instances have been alleged to violate the fundamental principles of human rights. What the government is going to do next is entirely up to the government.