KOTA BHARU: Kelantan MCA Friday (19 Sept) passed a resolution urging the government to do an in depth review of the Internal Security Act (ISA) and come up with a mechanism on its usage.

State chief Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen said this was to avoid the act, which allows for detention without trial, being misused in the future.

"Kelantan MCA hopes the government can review the ISA, especially on its effectiveness and implementation. For example, the detention of Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng recently gave rise to unhappines not only among the Chinese.

"If she was detained for her safety, why under the ISA? Tan posed no threat to the country," Dr Ng said at a news conference after the opening of the Kelantan MCA anuual general assembly. She is also the Wanita MCA chief and Women, Family and Community Development Minister.

The opening was done by MCA president, Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting. Also present were his deputy Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy and party secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan.

Dr Ng also urged the government to use the ISA only for cases that fitted the provisions of the act without considering whether the people involved were politicians, activists of non-governmental organisations or the like.

She said the ISA should be in-line with the current situation as it had been used in earlier years to overcome the communist threat.

Beside the resolution on the ISA, other resolutions were also passed on party matters. Among them was one supporting Dr Ng's candidacy for a party vice-president post in party polls next month.

She also said Kelantan MCA will forward a resolution calling on the government to provide more aid and assistance to non-Malay small and medium industries. (Bernama)