PUTRAJAYA: The Internal Security Act will be reviewed soon. "We want it (review) to be done very soon. I will discuss this with the home minister. I have some ideas but I will have to discuss them with him first. Then, we will announce it when the time comes," Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said.Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein is the new home minister, replacing Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.
Najib, on his appointment as the country's sixth prime minister on April 3, freed 13 ISA detainees and lifted the suspension of two opposition papers -- Harakah and Suara Keadilan.
In his maiden speech as PM, which was broadcast live, Najib had said Barisan Nasional would comprehensively review the ISA.
"These decisions are timely as we move to enhance the confidence of our citizens in those entrusted with maintaining peace, law and order, while recognising the need to remain vigilant of the real security threats we continue to face as a young nation," Najib had said.
Najib will chair the first cabinet meeting as the prime minister today. He said he would expound on the 1Malaysia concept to cabinet members and also editors.
On the demands made by MIC and MCA, Najib said they could always voice their views and ideas.
"But I am the one who will decide," Najib, who is also the finance minister, said after launching the Work Capital Guarantee and Industry Restructuring Guarantee schemes at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre.
MCA had asked for the second deputy prime minister post while MIC had demanded for greater representation in the cabinet.
ISA review 'soon'
Red Shirts told to pack their bags and return home
BANGKOK: Red-shirted protesters blinked when they went eyeball-to-eyeball with the military in the Thai capital. Surrounded by armoured vehicles and soldiers armed with automatic weapons, the red-shirted protesters – whose numbers at the Prime Minister’s office grounds dwindled from 100,000 to about 2,500 – were all set for a bloody confrontation. “We will fight for the entire country and are aiming for victory in the long run,” proclaimed an SMS sent yesterday by the red-shirted “public relations” team. However, at around 11am on the third day of the state of emergency in Bangkok, a red-shirted leader, Veera Musigapong, told protesters to pack their bags and return home. more
Backing down: Two antigovernment protesters (left) talking with a Thai soldier while others load their belongings on to a truck after ending their nearly two-week protest in Bangkok yesterday. — AP
