Malaysia introduces law to replace Internal Security Act

Malaysia's government introduced a new security law in Parliament yesterday under which people suspected of security-related offences could be detained for no more than 28 days without being charged.

The Bill is intended to replace the Internal Security Act (ISA), a decades-old law that allows for indefinite detention without trial.

The proposed Bill, which is expected to be approved by Parliament next week, fulfils a pledge to abolish the ISA, which has long been used to stifle political dissent.

The proposal is Prime Minister Najib Razak's latest move aimed at winning over middle-class, urban voters ahead of what is expected to be a closely fought election that he could call in weeks.

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