De facto law minister Dr Rais Yatim should not jeopardise his credibility by justifying the use of the Internal Security Act (ISA) after having opposed it during his days as a member of the opposition coalition, said DAP deputy chairperson Karpal Singh today.

Karpal said it was hypocritical of Rais to justify the perpetuation of the Act now just because he is in the government.

"When he was in Semangat 46, he was a ferocious critic of the Act. He should not, for the sake of his own credibility, run with the hares and hunt with the hounds," said Karpal.

Semangat 46 has since been disbanded with its members returning to Umno.

"The least he can do now is to keep silent on the subject. If he has any pride or honour left, he should quit his cabinet post immediately."

Karpal was commenting on Rais' remarks yesterday that some provisions of the ISA can be reviewed in future although the law will remain "for a long time to come" to protect national security. He added that the role of the advisory board established under the law could be re-examined.

The advisory board considers appeals by detainees on their minimum two-year detention and makes recommendations to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Karpal also called upon the government to repeal the Act totally, stating that it should have been "pensioned off" a long time ago.

"It has outlived its purpose and brings only disrepute to the country," he said, adding that the Act will only scare away foreign investors to the country.

The ISA allows for detention without trial for at least two years and in the recent past has been used against politicians, academicians, social and human rights activists, Islamic 'deviationists' and others who are regarded as a threat to national security.