Deputy Internal Security Minister Noh Omar today warned international human rights groups not to interfere in matters related to the Internal Security Act (ISA).

He was responding to a call by the Washington-based Human Rights Watch yesterday which urged Malaysia to grant independent monitors access to ISA detainees who allegedly have been subjected to serious abuse.

"Outsiders should not interfere. Who wants to talk (about) human rights? US or UK? They are worse," Noh told reporters in the Parliament lobby.

"We have our own way of settling things. Our Suhakam (Human Rights Commission of Malaysia) set up by the government is well informed about ISA issues."

He said Suhakam is in a better position to conduct impartial investigations into allegations that ISA detainees have been abused , adding that the government would not prevent the commission from doing so.

On Saturday morning, Noh is scheduled to make a second visit to the Kamunting detention centre in Perak - where ISA detainees are being held - in order to gather more information on claims of abuse.

He had earlier promised to personally probe the allegations, although a previous statement had claimed that the detainees are being rehabilitated and not tortured.

During the motion of thanks on the Royal Address this afternoon, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (Keadilan-Permatang Pauh) urged Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to probe the allegations as the government had also criticised similar accusations against the US government for the torture of Iraqi prisoners at the Abu Ghraib prison.

'Check and balance'

To another question, Noh said the government could not abuse the use of the ISA because there is "check and balance".

He was referring to the work of the ISA review board and legal challenges that the detainees can mount through their lawyers.

Noh also distributed a written reply to a question by Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor) on the government's plans to amend laws that allow for detention without trial - these include the ISA, Emergency Ordinance and Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act.

In the reply, Noh said the government has no plans to amend these preventive laws, as these are still effective in preserving peace. They also provide powers to the authorities to take preventive action in curbing crime and terrorism.

"The stability and peace that we are enjoying now is the result of the smart and effective action taken by the country's security teams especially the police," he said.

"Any action to amend these acts will only be implemented based on how appropriate this is, taking into consideration every aspect of the nation's interest and security."

Karpal's absence

Karpal's question had been scheduled as the fourth question during question time this morning. The question was called but he was absent.

Noh therefore challenged DAP chairperson and Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang to act against his deputy for failing to turn up for the sitting.

"I regret the absence of Karpal - when the government is ready to answer the opposition's question, they fail to turn up. Furthermore, this detention without trial issue is significant and has consistently been raised by the opposition," he told reporters.

Noh said this proved that the opposition knows how to criticise the government but does not practise what it preaches.

Responding later, Lim said he was uncertain of Karpal's reason for his absence.

However, he said that if Karpal did know that the ISA question would be raised, then the incident should be a "lesson" and that "we will learn from this lesson".