A social activist was forced to carry out a survey o­n the controversial Internal Security Act under the watchful eyes of more than 20 anti-riot police at the Penang state assembly yesterday.

Ong Boon Keong planned to obtain feedback from the state assembly representatives o­n the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia's (Suhakam) call to repeal the security law and for the release of six political detainees .

The activist - who helms the Penang Anti-ISA Network or Pain - saw his plans interrupted by police personnel who accused him of causing trouble.

Chief Inspector Nazeri Wahid said he had received information that O­ng was planning to cause a riot, adding that o­nly reporters and police personnel were permitted to be in the premises.

"But you...who are you representing?" he asked o­ng who had planned to interview all of the 33 representatives.

The activist argued that he was there to meet the wakil rakyat (people's representatives) in a public area and that he had no intention of causing trouble.

He then accused Nazeri of making false allegations against him.

Political intervention

"There must be political intervention. There is nothing wrong for me to ask politicians whether they support the abolition of the ISA. It is up to them to answer, I am not going to fight with them," he added.

At this juncture, Penang Keadilan deputy chief and lawyer Cheah Kah Peng ( photo ) intervened and calmed the situation.

He said the police could arrest O­ng if he caused trouble, otherwise their action would be contrary to democratic practices.

"If common folks cannot come to the state assembly to meet with their representatives, this is utterly absurd. This is the people's right," he said.

But as you can see, the presence of police, plainclothes special branch officers is intensifying. We sympathise with them, they are being pressured to do this."

Following this, o­ng was allowed to carry out with the survey with the warning that he would be arrested if he caused trouble.

Outside the state assembly, 24 Light Strike Force personnel stood guard until the activist completed his survey.

CM's denial

At a press conference later, Penang Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon denied that he had instructed the police to prevent the activist from meeting the state assembly representatives.

He said he was not aware of O­ng's presence and added that there was no need to deploy the anti-riot squad.

On Suhakam's views regarding the ISA and its six political detainees, Koh said the Barisan Nasional government would discuss the matter.

He said there was a myriad of opinions o­n the security law and government officials were welcome to express theirs.

Despite this, the chief minister refused to divulge his personal opinion, saying that his views as a party leader and head of state were more important.