By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal
June 26, 2011 | The Malaysian Insider
HULU SELANGOR, June 26 — Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein has not ruled out using the Internal Security Act (ISA) against the July 9 rallies, but said today the Home Ministry will use other security laws for now.
Election watchdog Bersih plans to hold a mass rally on July 9, while Perkasa and Umno Youth plan to hold counter-rallies on the same day. Police arrested 30 Bersih activists yesterday on grounds of waging war against the King.
The Home Minister stressed that action would be taken against anyone who causes havoc on July 9, and said that the police were impartial in the matter.
“If there is chaos, I am responsible to make sure that proper action following the law (will be taken) to control the situation.
“The ISA does not need (to be used) but can be used (but) to use the ISA (there) must be reasons that really threaten the country’s security and safety,” he told reporters here today.
The Home Minister pointed out that the act was only used in extreme circumstances, citing cases where it was used against Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and Tamil Tiger militants.
“But if we take action in context that can be connected to politics, it can be exploited.
“(For now) other laws can be used. We have not reached that level … we will monitor the situation first,” he added.
Hishamuddin also said that the army might be brought in if things get out of hand on July 9.
The first Bersih rally in 2007 saw up to 50,000 people take to the capital’s streets before they were dispersed by police armed with tear gas and water cannons.