PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said his administration would not use the Internal Security Act (ISA) arbitrarily but would give importance to human rights and civil liberties. He said the ISA was undergoing a review to ensure that it incorporates several provisions that upholds these principles. “Several provisions (of the ISA) will reflect our (the Government’s) intention to uphold civil liberties and establish checks and balance so that the ISA is not used arbitrarily or according to the whims of the authorities without regard for the fundamental rights and civil liberties of the people of Malaysia,” he told a group of journalists from Indo nesia yesterday at his office here. The journalists, who had arrived to attend the Malaysian Press Awards event of the Malaysian Press Institute in Kuala Lumpur on Monday night, were the first group of foreign journalists to interview Najib after his elevation as Prime Minister last Friday. Najib said his decision to release 13 ISA detainees recently was a government gesture that gave importance to the fundamental rights and civil liberties in a modern, mature and civilised society. At the interview, Najib was asked about his style of administration, Malaysia-Indo nesia bilateral relations, regional security, press freedom in Malaysia and the role of the two prime ministers before him, among other things. Touching on the philosophy behind the “One Malaysia. People First. Performance Now” concept, which he announced soon after becoming the Prime Minister, Najib said it was “the overarching philosophy” behind the administration he helmed. He explained that it emphasised what should be done from now to spur the nation towards realising the objectives and vision set by the two prime ministers before him, which were to enable the people achieve “excellence, glory and distinction” and realise Vision 2020 to become a developed nation. Najib also said he wanted to be the prime minister for all of the people and he would be fair, that he would not want to be seen as favouring any ethnic group. Touching on freedom in a democratic system, Najib said Malaysia was liberal and practised freedom with responsibility
PM: No arbitrary use of ISA
Trimmer Cabinet: 6 ministries to become 3
PUTRAJAYA: At least three ministries will "disappear", while parliamentary secretaries will make a comeback when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak names his cabinet.Najib is said to have received consent from the palace to announce his line-up.
He is expected to do so as soon as he finishes meeting leaders of Barisan Nasional component party leaders today or tomorrow.
It is understood that the merger of six ministries into three is to avoid overlapping of duties and jurisdictions, to make Najib's administration smaller but more effective.
The Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry is expected to be merged with the Tourism Ministry; Higher Education Ministry with the Education Ministry; and, Plantation, Industries and Commodities Ministry with the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry.
At least one minister who lost in his bid for a post in Umno recently is likely to be retained. Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim is likely to continue to lead Wisma Putra although he lost in his bid for a vice-president's post.
Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Shaziman Mansor is also likely to remain in his post.
The Finance Ministry, now headed by Najib, is likely to be strengthened with Datuk Mustapa Mohamed, an economist, moving from the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry. Both Najib and Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah are expected to remain in the ministry.
Several people are being lined up to be appointed senators, to become full ministers.
Najib is, however, keeping the list of names close to his chest.
"There is no way you will know it until he makes the official announcement. Until then, people can make all sorts of guesses and speculation," said an aide to the prime minister.
"But the line-up, on the whole, will reflect the prime minister's 1Malaysia concept, that is unity and progress in diversity."
The aide said, however, that despite the short time since his appointment as prime minister, Najib had sought the views and opinions of people from all levels of society, including leaders, academicians, businessmen and community leaders on who should be in his line-up.
This was to ensure that the people would be well represented and taken care of.
It is also said that ideas and input from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission were also being sought.
Over the past few days, several Barisan Nasional component party leaders met Najib over the cabinet appointments. Among them was MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat. Sabah and Sarawak BN leaders also made their representations.
