ISA protest

Updated: Saturday August 1, 2009 MYT 8:57:39 PM

ISA protest: Those arrested have to deal with the situation, says PM

By ROSLINA MOHAMAD

PEKAN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said those who took part in the protest against the Internal Security Act (ISA) and got arrested would have to deal with the situation as he had already warned people against it.

''I have said before this that ISA is being reviewed and we are also in the process of discussions and getting feedback from various groups.

''As such, the demonstration was unnecessary because it only causes hardship and I have been informed of complaints by the public who got caught in the traffic jams caused by the rally.

“It is difficult for them to go from one point to another,'' he told reporters after launching a corporate social responsibility programme by Astro called 'Astro Kasih' in Kampung Ketapang Tengah here Saturday.

Najib, who is also Pekan MP, added that the rally was politically motivated and simply senseless.

He said that since the protesters were stubborn enough to proceed with the rally, they would have to face the music.

''They will need to deal with any action to be taken by the police.

''We want to advise them but if they refuse to listen, what can I do.

''It is up to the police and if arrests are made, we leave it to the authorities,'' Najib added.

Political Malaysia

Najib And Cabinet Ministers Continue Retreat

PETALING JAYA, July 4 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his Cabinet ministers on Saturday continued their retreat at a hotel in Subang Jaya, here.

The two-day retreat, which began Friday, was said to have discussed various matters on development and the country's administration including the key performance index (KPI).

The KPI, announced by Najib in April, was introduced to monitor the ministers' performance and achievement and reflect the innovation introduced by the government as well as its more responsible and focused approach which gave priority to the people.

In the announcement, the Prime Minister had said he would be personally and directly involved in studying the performance of all ministers every six months with the assistance of Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.

Last month, Dr Koh confirmed that the retreat would be held early this month and that it was compulsory for all cabinet members to attend.

Meanwhile, attempts by the media who had been waiting since morning to interview the ministers were unsuccessful as they were prevented to enter the hotel by police personnel and the hotel's security guards.

Najib, who is also the Finance Minister, was seen leaving the hotel at about 5.45 pm, accompanied by Dr Koh and Khazanah Nasional Bhd managing director Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar.

Dr Koh later re-entered the hotel but turned down requests for an interview by the journalists who had followed him to the lift.