Lawyers and human rights groups today condemned the government's threat to use a tough security law against street rallies, and said it would only inflame the protest movement.

R Kesavan, vice-president of the Bar Council, described Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's threat to invoke the draconian law which allows for detention without trial as "regressive and counterproductive."

The controversial Internal Security Act, which rights groups are campaigning to have abolished, is currently being used to hold more than 100 people, including about 80 alleged Islamic militants.

"I think the (threat of the) ISA is aimed to create fear and prevent future protests. But such threats will not work now as many are frustrated that their woes are not addressed," he told AFP .

Kesavan said Abdullah should instead investigate why Malaysians are taking to the streets, after two mass protests this month - one calling for electoral reform which drew some 40,000 people, and another by ethnic Indians which involved about 30,000.

Ethnic Indians are a minority in Malaysia, which is dominated by Muslim Malays, and they complain they are discriminated against in terms of education, religion and opportunities.

The rallies were the biggest in a decade and took place despite bans ordered by police, who dispersed demonstrators with tear gas, water cannons and baton charges.

"People should be allowed to vent their frustrations. We need to review policies that affect minority Indians in Malaysia. Do we want to drive them underground? They may become destructive and militant," Kesavan said.

Old trick

Yap Swee Seng, executive director of Suaram, said Abdullah's warning was an "old trick" by the government to silence opposition ahead of polls expected to be held next year.

"It seems he is pressing the panic button to ensure another landslide victory. We condemn his threat. You cannot supress dissent and sweep the problem under the carpet. It is a violation of human rights," he said.

"Abdullah's threat to use the ISA will anger the public more. They are already facing injustices," he said.

Zaid Ibrahim, a lawmaker from the ruling Umno told AFP that the premier's warning on the ISA "shows the arrogance of the people in power."

He said any use of the law would be counterproductive and could scare away foreign investors, and he urged Abdullah to engage those who had grievances or risk radicalising them.

"I don't think the Indian youths are scared of the ISA. There is a serious problem at hand. Abdullah must find a way to resolve it," he said.