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 ©Bernama
(Used by permission)
• Police to use ISA when national security compromised
PUTRAJAYA, Dec 10 (Bernama) -- The nation is heading
for disaster when voters are easily swayed by groups that stir up racial
sentiments to reap political support, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said
Monday.
The prime minister said efforts must be made to sustain the country's stability
enjoyed by the people in the last 50 years.
"If voters are easily persuaded by people playing the racial card, then we are
heading for disaster," he said during a 30-minute question-and-answer session
after delivering his lecture on 'Building Hearts and Minds' in the Khazanah
Global Lecture Series at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre, here.
In answering a question from the floor on the government's action in dealing
with recent street demonstrations, Abdullah urged voters not to be swayed by
groups that stir up racial sentiments to reap political support.
"Enforcement of the law will be the action and no one will be excluded," he
said.
Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Annuar Zaini was the moderator. The lecture was
telecast live to Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia,
Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Tenaga Nasional and Universiti Malaysia
Sabah.
Abdullah said efforts to safeguard the country's security demanded a sense of
accountability from the whole rather than the few.
He reiterated his call to the people not to take peace for granted.
Asked by Mohd Annuar on his status, popularly known as Mr Nice Man and Mr Clean,
Abdullah said: "I know God knows I'm a clean and a nice person," drawing loud
applause from the floor.
"I think being nice is a natural character. It can't be changed. But being nice
must not be regarded as weak. God knows I have a duty to do and it is a
responsibility for me to discharge it properly," he said.
Abdullah said that since he took over the helm of the country in 2003, a lot had
been done to improve the countrys' economy and the lives of the people.
They included launching growth corridors so that the country's development could
be spread all over the country and not centred in the Klang Valley.
He had also launched the National Mission which outlines thrusts and action
plans in achieving the Vision 2020 towards attaining developed nation status by
2020.
To another question from a university student, Abdullah said universities should
not only improve their quality of teaching but also ensure that the institutions
could be used as a platform to instil unity among students of different races,
thus contributing towards national integrity.
The prime minister also shared his experiences in building good relations with
his multi-ethnic friends that he learnt during his boarding school days.
"Respect, understanding and patience are the important qualities in binding
relations and we still have strong bonding until today," he said.
Answering other question, Abdullah said he was not satisfied with the level of
Malaysian moral values at the moment as he believed there was always room for
further improvement.
Police to use ISA when national security compromised
JOHOR BAHARU, Dec 10 (Bernama) -- The police will invoke the Internal
Security Act (ISA) against the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) if the
country's security is compromised.
"I cannot say when this will happen but police will take sterner action. More
drastic action will be taken if the security situation is at risk,"
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said Monday.
"There are signs already that Hindraf activities will have a negative effect on
national security," he told reporters here when asked on the possible use of ISA
against Hindraf.
He said the police's first option was to have those involved in sowing racial
sentiments charged in court.
When suggested that this meant that the police took a soft stand against Hindraf,
he said: "No. We will not compromise against groups out to destroy national
security and the peace."
He added that the police had completed their investigation on those involved
with Hindraf and would have them charged in court soon.
On the police's action on the organisers of illegal rallies held by the
Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih), Musa said only two people had
been detained -- Pas vice president Mohamad Sabu and Parti Keadilan Rakyat
information chief Tian Chua.
More arrests would be made soon, he said.
Asked why the sudden surge in illegal rallies, he said: "I cannot say for sure
why, maybe because the general election is just around the corner."
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Save a tree (square) (10475)
I think the PM is hinting at his own party - UMNO that they should stop playing the racial card.
The Najib's, Khairy's, Hisham's, Badaruddin's and Nazri's - BEWARE!! The PM is out to get you.
Dipendra H Rai