MINISTER WANTS ISA TO BE USED SPECIFICALLY FOR TERRORISTS, COMMUNIST SUBVERSIVES

KOTA BAHARU (Malaysia), Sept 15 (Bernama) -- The Internal Security Act (ISA) should be used specifically to stem the activities of terrorists, communist subversives and those attempting to topple the government by force, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Zaid Ibrahim said Sunday.

He said the ISA should be used for the stated purpose and "we keep to
that".

The country has many laws which could be applied in issues such as racial
tension and threats to national security, he told reporters at his
residence.

Zaid was asked to comment on the detention of Malaysia Today blogger Raja
Petra Kamarudin, a Member of Parliament Teresa Kok and Sin Chew Daily reporter
Tan Hoon Cheng under the ISA on Friday. Tan was released Saturday.

"We have many laws which the police could have used to detain the three
people without having to use the ISA. We have the Sedition Act and the Penal
Code," he said.

Zaid also said many other approaches could be employed to minimise racial
differences or issues, including through dialogue sessions and peaceful
discussions.
-- BERNAMA