Hishammuddin Hussein

In a written reply to Tian Chua (PKR-Batu's) question, Hishammuddin said the government had no intention to abolish the ISA because "it is still a relevant and applicable law in current security situation and public order in the country".

"The ISA has to be retained because it is effective in preventing activities that are subversive or able to threaten the national security and public order.

"From the feedback gathered from forums organised by the ministry, a large portion of society still thinks that the law is relevant and agrees that it should not be abolished," he said.

However, Hishammuddin said the government had begun to take necessary steps, including the setting up of a special committee, to review the laws.

On the PPPA, Hishammuddin said the law would control all publications from printing materials which are detrimental to public order, morality, security and issues that would impact the minds of the people.

"At the moment, the government does not plan to abolish the PPPA but the ministry is studying the Act to ensure that the law is in-line with current needs," he said.

When met in Parliament lobby, Tian Chua (PKR-Batu) said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, when he first took over the office in April, had commented that the ISA might be obsolete and it would be reviewed.

"No date has been fixed as to when the review of the Act would be finalised. I can see that it is only propaganda by the government and no actual action have been taken," he said.," he added.