Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said today the controversial Internal Security Act (ISA) would not be subjected to any review.

"We are not reviewing it at the moment. Please don’t ask me any questions about that," he told a press conference after officiating the 55 th MCA annual general meeting in Kuala Lumpur today.

Earlier, outgoing MCA president Ong Ka Ting had urged the government to review the law, which has been recently used to detain several individuals without trial, sparking public outcry .

mca agm 181008 abdullah ka ting pc The latest arrest was of Johor-based human rights activist Cheng Lee Whee who was detained under Section 28 of the law yesterday after participating in a demonstration against the demolition of a squatter colony.

Abdullah refused to comment on the latest arrest, saying instead that the arrest was the prerogative of the home minister.

"This is under the jurisdiction of the relevant minister. I have no comments. He would be better informed," the premier said, adding that the home minister should, however, be cautious to not abuse the law.

Ong was seated next to Abdullah during the press conference but did not comment. Gerakan president Dr Koh Tsu Koon had made similar calls in front of Abdullah during the party’s AGM last week.

ISA not part of reforms

Abdullah also defended the controversial Act, adding that similar laws were used in many other countries. To a question, he said the law was not part of his reform plans

"At the moment, I’m concentrating on the bills that I would be presenting to Parliament," he said.

The government is expected to table bills for the formation of the Judicial Appointments Commission, Special Complaints Commission and the Anti-Corruption Commission during the ongoing session of Parliament.

liow tiong lai On former MCA Youth Chief Liow Tiong Lai’s call for a second deputy BN chief’s post to be given to the party yesterday, Abdullah was noncommittal when asked if he agreed with the suggestion.

He said Liow’s suggestion should be brought up at a BN convention, scheduled to be held in February next year, a month before his scheduled retirement as prime minister.

"We have to talk about it. I’m sure other parties have their views on this," said Abdullah.

Asked if Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) was a proxy for the opposition, Abdullah declined comment because the organisation was deemed illegal.