Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today that there would be no preferential treatment given to anyone, including students detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) if they posed a threat to national security.

"Students are not exempted from the law. It is up to the police to decide as this is a matter of national security, but if anyone commits a crime, then they will be dealt with accordingly," he said.

"We are not trying to silence the voice of the students but if they are involved in illegal activities then it is a different matter entirely,"added Mahathir.

The premier was commenting on the arrest of Institut Kemahiran Mara (IKM) student Khairul Anuar Ahmad Zainuddin under Section 73 (1) of the ISA yesterday.

The 24-year-old student activist was arrested in Kuala Lumpur.

[Full report to follow]