IGP: Police support bringing ISA back
KUALA LUMPUR: Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar has concurred with a proposal by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to bring back the Internal Security Act (ISA) to ensure public security and order.
He said however, the police were only law enforcers and it was up to the members of parliament to propose the legislation in parliament.
"I wish so (ISA proposal) and I hope so. If Parliament feels it is relevant to reintroduce the legislation, why not? I fully support every legislation which can enable the country to be safer," he told reporters in a special interview at the federal police headquarters in Bukit Aman here today.
Asked if the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma)'s provisions were inadequate, Khalid said it was better if ISA was reintroduced as the functions of ISA and Sosma were different and were applicable under different conditions.
Yesterday, Dr Mahathir proposed implementing the ISA again to combat extremist minority groups which threatened national stability.
In another development, Khalid said 'Ops Cantas' which was launched on Aug 17, last year had successfully brought down the crime rate last year.
He said the overall crime index for 2013 fell by 4.3 per cent, with 147,073 cases reported as compared to 153,669 cases the previous year.
He said 'Ops Cantas' led to the arrest of 44,343 people during its 137-day operation.
"I am very satisfied with the success of the police in 2013, as we reduced violent crimes by 10.93 per cent and property crimes by 6.16 per cent, under 'Ops Cantas'," he added.
Khalid also noted that last year, the police scored bigger successes against narcotic offenders and drug traffickers.
He said between Nov 20 and Dec 30, the police picked up 14,896 people in 14,138 cases, relating to the Dangerous Drugs Act, with drug seizures valued at RM30.82 million.
Meanwhile, the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA) is deemed adequate for the authorities to deal with any action that could threaten national security.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Nancy Shukri said hence, there was no need for a new law to be enacted or to bring back the Internal Security Act (ISA), which was repealed in 2012.
She said the people should also give the chance for SOSMA to function and so far, there seemed to be no weaknesses with regard to its implementation.
"If we find weaknesses, we will make improvements," she said when met at a luncheon hosted by the prime minister's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, in honour of the visiting Turkish prime minister's wife, Emine Erdagon, at the Craft Centre, here, today.
Nancy was asked by reporters to comment on the suggestion by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to implement back the ISA in dealing with the actions of extremists in this country.
On another issue, Nancy said 16,394 bankrupt individuals were given a discharge from bankruptcy by the Department of Insolvency last year.
She said besides those who had settled their debts, a discharge from bankruptcy was also given to bankrupt individuals who were consistently making payments on their debts as agreed upon up by the creditors.
Nancy said the active campaign on the role and functions of the Insolvency Department also had positive results.
These included encouraging 9,938 bankrupt individuals to file their statement of affairs with the department in 2013 compared to 8,553 in 2012, she added. -- BERNAMA
We support the view of the IGP and Tun Dr. M ISA should be brought back! - Bestfbkl
