The Home Ministry, which is currently conducting a review of the controversial Internal Security Act (ISA), is expected to make public its decision by the year-end.

However, campaigners against the law - which allows detention without trial - should not expect any good news as the review will not address their concerns as it seeks to ensure that the ISA remains "relevant" in the current political climate.

"The review is to make sure that the ISA will continue to be relevant and comply with the government's objective to ensure peace in the country," the ministry said in a written reply to member of Parliament Ramli Ibrahim (Keadilan-Kota Bharu) today.

Malaysiakini

obtained a copy of the Home Ministry's reply.

Suhakam's recommendations

Earlier, the opposition parliamentarian asked the ministry whether the government would consider the recommendations made by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) in its 'Review of the ISA' report released in March.

Suhakam recommended that judicial review be brought back to check any abuse of the all-powerful security law.

It also called on the government to clearly spell out the offences which are considered threats to national security.

The commission suggested for the investigative detention period to be limited to seven days, which is extendable by a court order for up to 29 days in total, while the two-year detention period be shorten to three months, after which a detainee should be released or charged in a court of law.

The ISA, which was enacted by the colonial British to combat the communist insurgency in 1960, earned notoriety when it was used against opposition politicians and other dissidents in recent decades.

Under the Act, the home minister is empowered to order the initial detention of 60 days and to sign a subsequent two-year detention order under the ISA. His decision cannot be challenged in court.

In tabling the question to the Home Ministry, Ramli ( left ) also requested the ministry's stand on a memorandum submitted by the anti-ISA campaigners and the families of the ISA detainees on Aug 1 in conjunction with the 43rd anniversary of the enactment of the security law.

The ministry reiterated that the suggestions and opinions voiced out by different quarters are often taken into consideration by the government.

"This is to ensure the implementation of the law in this country will provide justice for everyone," the ministry said, adding that all opinions on the Act are being studied.

The ministry also said it has "received and studied" the contents of the anti-ISA memorandum in August but argued that the security law is still needed to maintain law and order.

It also stressed that all detentions under the ISA complied with existing laws as well as the country's security interest.

No courage

However, the Keadilan MP described the reply from the ministry as "illogical".

Ramli said the ministry should "correctly" address the legitimate concerns of the anti-ISA campaigners and not to further tighten the law.

"The ministry's reply also showed the government does not have the courage to respond to the calls by Suhakam - a body set up by the government itself," he said when met later.

He added that it was "not unusual" for the government to ignore Suhakam, especially since the rights body's previous annual report was not even tabled in the Dewan Rakyat for debate.

However, Ramli, who is also a Keadilan supreme council member, vowed that he would not let the issue rest.

He intends to examine the ISA review report when it is ready at the end of the year and will make attempts to raise it in Parliament.