KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) — Malaysia's prime minister Tuesday warned he could use an internal security law which allows for detention without trial to crack down on street protests after two mass rallies in the capital.
The controversial Internal Security Act (ISA), which rights groups are campaigning to have abolished, is mostly used against alleged Islamic militants.
"The ISA is a preventive measure to spare the nation from untoward incidents that can harm the prevailing peace and harmony and create all sorts of adverse things," Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi reportedly said.
"So, I don't know (when to invoke the ISA), but ISA will be there. When it is appropriate to use it, it will be used," he said according to the state Bernama news agency.
Malaysia's government has been rocked by two mass protests this month, one calling for electoral reform which drew some 30,000 people, and another by ethnic Indians which at least 8,000 took part in Sunday.
The rallies were the biggest in a decade and took place despite bans ordered by police, who broke up the gatherings with tear gas, water cannons and baton charges.
Bernama quoted Abdullah as saying he would continue to leave it to the police to handle the demonstrations -- which are extremely rare in Malaysia -- and take measures to guarantee peace and security.
The premier also defended his government's record on race relations against allegations from ethnic Indian activists that the minority community is denied opportunities and lags far behind in wealth and education.
"There are policies that we are working on now and there are policies that have been implemented," he said.
"If there are views, the government is prepared to listen, but if demanded in the way that can lead to the country's instability, then we've to take action."
Malaysia is holding more than 100 people under the ISA, about 80 of them alleged Islamic militants. Rights groups have long campaigned for them to be freed or brought to trial.
The legislation allows for two-year detention periods that can be renewed indefinitely. The government maintains that detention without trial is needed as a first line of defence against terrorism.
The controversial Internal Security Act (ISA), which rights groups are campaigning to have abolished, is mostly used against alleged Islamic militants.
"The ISA is a preventive measure to spare the nation from untoward incidents that can harm the prevailing peace and harmony and create all sorts of adverse things," Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi reportedly said.
"So, I don't know (when to invoke the ISA), but ISA will be there. When it is appropriate to use it, it will be used," he said according to the state Bernama news agency.
Malaysia's government has been rocked by two mass protests this month, one calling for electoral reform which drew some 30,000 people, and another by ethnic Indians which at least 8,000 took part in Sunday.
The rallies were the biggest in a decade and took place despite bans ordered by police, who broke up the gatherings with tear gas, water cannons and baton charges.
Bernama quoted Abdullah as saying he would continue to leave it to the police to handle the demonstrations -- which are extremely rare in Malaysia -- and take measures to guarantee peace and security.
The premier also defended his government's record on race relations against allegations from ethnic Indian activists that the minority community is denied opportunities and lags far behind in wealth and education.
"There are policies that we are working on now and there are policies that have been implemented," he said.
"If there are views, the government is prepared to listen, but if demanded in the way that can lead to the country's instability, then we've to take action."
Malaysia is holding more than 100 people under the ISA, about 80 of them alleged Islamic militants. Rights groups have long campaigned for them to be freed or brought to trial.
The legislation allows for two-year detention periods that can be renewed indefinitely. The government maintains that detention without trial is needed as a first line of defence against terrorism.
