Syed Hamid steers clear of ISA controversy

Following the public furore over the spate of Internal Security Act detentions last Friday, Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar wisely steered clear of controversy by refusing to be drawn into whether more arrests are on the cards.

The home minister was asked if Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim would be arrested under the ISA, which allows detention without trial, following grating comments by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Abdullah had yesterday warned that Anwar was “a threat to the economy and national security” - an accusation which would allow the government to nab the opposition leader under ISA.

When asked by reporters today, Syed Hamid argued that his main job as home minister was to ensure the “security and safety” of the country.

"But when the need arises and action has to be taken, it will be done. Don't speculate because while the prime minister was right about the security threats, there is no need to discuss (future arrests) now."

During a media conference after the Home Ministry's monthly gathering this morning, Syed Hamid was also asked to comment on the arrest of blogger Syed Azidi Syed Abdul Aziz in Kota Baru yesterday.

"I don't need to comment on this as the arrest was conducted according to the law. If anyone should comment on this, it should be the police," said the minister, whose portfolio includes overseeing the police force in Malaysia.

"Usually, we don't know the details (of the arrests). So long as they do it in accordance to the law, the rest, we should leave it to the courts," he added.

Syed Azidi, who runs the blog kickdefella.wordpress.com, was picked up by three policemen at his home in Kota Baru.

According to his wife Bariah Ishak, Syed Azidi was arrested under the Sedition Act although no warrant of arrest was presented.

The blogger courted controversy recently after launching an online campaign to fly the Malaysian flag upside down.

‘It will happen when it happens’

On whether there will be more arrests of those bloggers who had also flown the Malaysian flag upside down on their websites, Syed Hamid directed the question to the police.

"On the enforcement of the law, you must ask the police. But no police in the world will tell you who they plan to arrest. It will happen when it happens.

"If you have any other questions on the enforcement of the law, please ask the police," said Syed Hamid, looking at deputy inspector-general of police Ismail Omar who was also present.

"Police is quite open and willing to talk. But you cannot ask who they are going to arrest next as it will not be fair to them."

Deputy IGP Ismail Omar meanwhile said he had not seen the contents of the report on blogger Syed Azidi and would wait before making comments.

"The director of CID is looking through it. I've not seen the contents personally," said Ismail.

On whether the Sedition Act will be used against other bloggers, Ismail said that as long as nobody spreads rumours or lies, they will not be arrested.

He also revealed that Syed Azidi will be charged in court today but he did not give more details on the matter.

Race Relations Act under construction

Meanwhile, Syed Hamid announced that his ministry will be working closely with the Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry in the drafting of a law to govern race relations.

Responding to queries, the home minister said Shafie Apdal's ministry will be drafting the law after consultations with various groups.

The Home Ministry is tasked with giving feedback on the penalties if the law is infringed.

On the need for the act, Syed Hamid said: "Even in the European nations, a law governing race relations is now important as they too are becoming 'rainbow' nations. What more for us?

"But the law is still in the early stages of drafting and it will be take some time before it is ready to be looked at."

The minister also said that the cabinet will look at other countries' race relation laws before deciding on Malaysia's.