Gerakan supports any policy or decision agreed upon and implemented by Barisan Nasional. This includes the Internal Security Act (ISA), said its secretary-general Chia Kwang Chye today.

"Although BN allows room for discussions on differing views, all members of the coalition will support and adhere to the party's discipline," he said.

However, Chia, who is also deputy internal security minister, stressed that BN policies are subjected to review and improvements.

"Even though a policy has been implemented, when there's opportunity and a need to, discussions on these policies take place in closed-door sessions. This is a continuous process," he explained.

Chia was speaking to reporters after opening a seminar, 'Advocating Human Rights: Position of Youth in Society', in Kuala Lumpur. The seminar was jointly organised by Gerakan Youth and the International Federation of Liberal Youth.

According to the deputy minister, there is also room for discussion and opposing views within Gerakan - a former opposition party which joined the BN in 1974.

Over the years, several party leaders, such as Penang state exco Toh Kin Woon , have called for the repeal of the ISA.

In 2001, party vice-president and Penang Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon said Gerakan supported the protection of human rights but added that threats to national security must be dealt with "firmly and fairly".

Suhakam's role

Chia also said human rights should be contextualised on the basis of influences such as economic development, religion, culture and political climate of a country.

"While (we recognise) the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the implementation of these principles in situations in which we live in is different," he said.

Citing the human rights situation in Malaysia, he said it is among the few countries which has an independent human rights commission (Suhakam), which in some ways regulates society.

"They have investigated claims and complaints directed to them and have presented annual reports to Parliament. Malaysia is working within this framework in terms of human rights," he said.

Asked if Suhakam's capacity is being restricted in any way, Chia said the government takes the commission seriously.

"We work to correct the wrongs highlighted by them. The situation in Malaysia is not as bad as it is made out to be," he added.

"The government's gesture in tabling the (Suhakam annual) report in Parliament is a show of transparency and openness towards human rights."

Last Friday, however, the government decided not to allocate specific time to debate the 2003 report. Subsequently, Suhakam then called on the government to take its recommendations seriously and to act upon these.