Trio’s detention: PM says Zaid not involved

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 — "The law minister is not involved."

"It is exclusively the responsibility of the minister of home affairs," Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said of the Internal Security Act.

He was replying to a question concerning Datuk Zaid Ibrahim's resignation over the recent use of the Act against a journalist, controversial blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin and opposition MP Teresa Kok.

Abdullah said that reforms he had "promised to the rakyat" would continue and that "because Zaid is not around anymore doesn't mean it will stop. It is not his idea in the first place, it is mine," reminding reporters that it was in his 2004 election manifesto.

The issue arose when an Australia-based reporter had asked after his meeting the Biotechnology International Advisory Panel today whether he was concerned that Malaysia's image was tarnished due to the use of the ISA.

"There are other countries which have some kind of law which is even tougher than the ISA. Every country has its own way of looking after its own security," he said.

Abdullah also expressed his disappointment at the lack of "Hari Raya spirit" in Hindraf's visit to the Cabinet open house at the Putra World Trade Centre on Oct 1.

"Only one of them said Selamat Hari Raya to me. What I heard clearly was 'abolish ISA, release Hindraf’," he said.

He acknowledged that the group of over 200 were stopped from entering the hall pending his permission but after conferring with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and other leaders, he decided to let them in.

"My view is they are here for the open house which is open to all. There is no obstacle to any group. Why should I prevent any Malaysian group from coming to the open house? Even non-Malaysians came in huge numbers."

However, only 70 members of the group were allowed into the dining hall and Abdullah claimed that many did not even greet the rest of the ministers who were there to welcome guests.

-TMI