'We will not tolerate anyone who threatens the security of the country. It does not matter if they are professionals, civil servants or members of non-governmental organisations and religious groups.'
DEPUTY INTERNAL SECURITY MINISTER JOHARI BAHARUM |
KUALA LUMPUR - A TOP Malaysian security official has said that it is 'only a matter of time' before more people are detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA), adding that the police has submitted a list of names to the government.
Deputy Internal Security Minister Johari Baharum did not say how many people were on the list or name any of them.
The announcement follows last week's arrests under the ISA of five leaders of the Hindu Rights Action Front (Hindraf). They had led a street protest of thousands of Indians in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 25 to demand government help for the community.
Datuk Johari said: 'We will not tolerate anyone who threatens the security of the country. It does not matter if they are professionals, civil servants or members of non-governmental organisations and religious groups.'
He said those on the police list had been involved in organising gatherings with racial undertones.
Datuk Johari also warned anyone spreading rumours of racial clashes that the ISA could also be used against them.
He was quoted by AFP as saying: 'My advice to those who organise street protests and rumour mongers who circulate text messages - stop it. If you don't, we will not hesitate to use the ISA.'
Kuala Lumpur was calm yesterday despite text messages claiming that Malays would stage a demonstration in response to last month's rally by Indians.
The text messages had been circulating for two weeks, and claimed Malays would gather in Kampung Baru, a Malay enclave close to the Kuala Lumpur City Centre that has historical significance, to defend their rights.
But it appeared to be business as usual in Kampung Baru yesterday, except for a police roadblock near the neighbourhood mosque.
Dang Wangi district police chief Zulkarnain Abdul Rahman said there was no gathering. 'Our 48-hour surveillance in and around Kampung Baru showed no sign of any gathering,' he said.
But several hundred activists did gather at a Hindu temple in Kampung Baru Kamunting near the Kamunting detention centre in Perak where the five Hindraf leaders were being held.
The group, which demanded the release of the five, gathered at the temple after police closed the roads leading to the centre.
Group spokesman R.S. Thanenthiran was quoted by AFP as saying that those detained were not terrorists. 'The government is escaping from the real issue, which is that Indians are marginalised in Malaysia,' he said.
The gathering was also in support of 31 Indians arrested outside the Batu Caves temple in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 25, where they clashed with police as they gathered to join the protest in the city. They were accused of attempted murder of a policeman, and have been denied bail.
Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi, who is also Internal Security Minister, said on Saturday the group had voiced regret over their participation in the rally to Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail. 'I pity them. I have told the A-G to please consider this representation of theirs and decide as soon as possible,' he said.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister said he had a responsibility to act despite 'criticism and unhappiness' over the government actions.
He noted that the ISA had also been used against two radical Muslim groups, Jemaah Islamiah and Al-Ma'unah, in recent years.
'They are my people, who believe in the same religion. But I had a duty to carry out. What is wrong is wrong. The law is colour blind.
'You must remember that we want Malaysia to be a peaceful place. We resolve problems by discussing them,' he was quoted as saying during a meeting with Indian community leaders from his own constituency of Kepala Batas in Penang.
carolynh@sph.com.sg
Indian groups urge govt to free activists nabbed under ISA
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