The move by the opposition to reject the Security Offences (Special Measures) Bill 2012, tabled by the prime minister for a second reading today, is politically-motivated, said Information, Communications and Culture Minister Rais Yatim.

The objections raised by the opposition were merely to serve their political interests and nothing to do with the law per se, Rais said.

"Those who are of the view that the new Act is wrongful cannot be regarded to be fair," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

NONE Rais also denied that the new Bill was harsher than the Internal Security Act (ISA).

He challenged the opposition to debate the issue, and expressed confidence that the government would be able to present a compelling argument for the new security law.

"Show us who can be detained more than 28 days? Any detention beyond that period must be decided by the court and not by the home minister," he said.

Rais said the country needed a law that guarantees its security.

He also described the new Bill as "a very good legislation" and in line with the need to uphold the rule of law.

"We should be grateful because Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is aware that human rights must be respected. This is the way forward for us," he said.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein described the claims by the opposition - that the new legislation was no different from the ISA - as irresponsible.

Hishammuddin said the opposition was merely playing with politics in objecting to the new legislation.

Earlier, when debating the Bill in the Dewan Rakyat, Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau) said the new law would provide a balance between the need to safeguard the country's security and protect civil liberty.

NONE The tabling of the new legislation showed that the government was willing to repeal the outdated law, and at the same time, refusing to yield to any compromise on the country's security.

Khairy, who is Umno Youth chief, said the opposition only knew how to demand for the repeal of ISA but failed to come up with an alternative legislation.

"This is the difference between the BN and the opposition. We know the ISA is no longer relevant but we also know we need another law so that the country's security remains safeguarded," he said.

- Bernama