©Bernama (Used by permission)

KUALA LUMPUR, May 14 (Bernama) -- Dismissing the notion that the Internal Security Act (ISA) is cruel, the inspector-general of police says it is still needed to safeguard national security.

Tan Sri Musa Hassan also rejected charges by some quarters that detainees held under the ISA were given no opportunity to defend themselves in court.

"ISA detainees can still obtain their defence by providing evidence in court.

"There is an advisory panel which re-evaluates cases of ISA detainees. If the panel says the detainees do not threaten the country's security, we will free them," said Musa, adding that members of the panel were former judges.

He was speaking to reporters after officiating the first meeting of the Asean Regional Crime Prevention Foundation (ARCPF) here Wednesday.

Answering a question from an Indonesian journalist who was covering the ARCPF event, Musa said among the ISA detainess were 13 Indonesians who enjoyed permanent resident status here.

He said they were being detained in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah.

The three-day meeting which began Wednesday focusses on the establishment of the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation by emphasising on aspects of crime prevention in drug smuggling, human trafficking and police enforcement.

Also present was acting ARCPF chairman Tan Sri Da'i Bachtiar of Indonesia.