No need to reinstate ISA, says IGP

There is no need to reinstate the Internal Security Act (ISA), says Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.

He said this is because the three existing laws -- the Prevention of Crime (Amendment and Extension) Act 2013, the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) and the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (SOSMA) 2012-- is sufficient to curb any violent activities in the country including threats by IS militants.

“We have good Acts to curb extremism which leads towards violence.

“So we feel that there is no need for ISA to be reinstated especially in dealing with violence in the country,” said Khalid during a press conference held after attending a forum entitled “Crime Matters” at the Royal Malaysian Police College here.

Khalid added that they will continue providing information on the threats of the IS militants to ensure noone is fooled by their ideologies.

"Police will continue to curb the threat of IS.

"This is because there are still people who do not believe this to be a threat and consider it a drama by the government," he said.

To date, the police have arrested more than 100 individuals believed to be involved with the IS militants while 66 people were reported to be in Syria and Iraq.

He said the public is requested to provide information relating to IS to the police should they witness any suspicious activity.

Also present at the forum were Deputy Minister of Home Affairs II Masir Kujat and the Dewan Negara Speaker Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang.