PM ASKS ZAID TO THINK THOROUGHLY ON HIS INTENTION TO STEP DOWN

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 16 (Bernama) -- The government's move to introduce law
reforms in the country will definitely continue, whether the minister
responsible for the reforms, Zaid Ibrahim, is around or not, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Tuesday.

"The government is not dependent on a single individual," the prime
minister
told a news conference at his office, after a meeting with the ministries'
secretaries-general.

Zaid, the minister in the prime minister's department who is responsible
for
law, was reported to have submitted his resignation letter Monday, a day after
he had expressed unhappiness over the manner the government had used the
Internal Security Act (ISA).

"The law reforms will definitely continue as usual, whether Zaid is around
or not," the prime minister said when asked to comment on the repercussions on
the law reforms which might follow.

Without revealing the contents of Zaid's resignation letter, Abdullah said
he had asked Zaid to think thoroughly on his intention to quit.

On Sept 13, three people were detained under the ISA. They comprised
opposition Democratic Action Party (DAP) Member of Parliament Teresa Kok,
Malaysia Today portal editor Raja Petra Kamaruddin and Sin Chew Daily reporter
Tan Hoon Cheng.

However, Tan was released a day later.

To a question that six Cabinet ministers were unhappy with the use of the
ISA this time, Abdullah said they were merely not agreeable to the manner in
which the act was used.

Furthermore, he said, the ministers gave their opinions because in a
democratic country, they were entitled to do so.

"This is what happens when they are given a chance to speak. Democracy is
healthy," said Abdullah, adding that the ISA would continue to be used for
public order and security in the country.
-- BERNAMA