PUTRAJAYA, 18 Sept 2008: The Home Ministry is monitoring the situation and keeping tabs on opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim before taking any action, says Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.
He said it was important to safeguard the country’s peace and security.
He also urged members of the public not to speculate on the actions the ministry might take.
"It’s better to look at the situation first… and take action when there is a necessity," he told reporters after attending the Home Ministry’s monthly gathering here.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the Pakatan Rakyat de-facto leader was a threat to the economy and national security.
"Whatever the action that we may take, we will take it when the time comes. Right now, I don’t want to discuss about it before the time comes," he said.
Syed Hamid also said that there was no necessity to talk about Anwar daily as if Malaysia was being controlled by the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor.
"There are a lot of other things that we can do," he said.
On the arrest of blogger Syed Azidi Syed Aziz or better known as Kickdefella for sedition on 17 Sept, Syed Hamid said it was part of the law enforcement process.
Meanwhile, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said his officers had received the police report lodged by Seputeh Member of Parliament Teresa Kok, who is currently serving detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA).
He said he had not seen the report which was lodged by Kok’s lawyer Sankara Nair against Utusan Melayu Sdn Bhd, its columnist Zaini Hassan and former Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Khir Toyo for criminal defamation over the azan issue.
When asked by reporters at the the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) whether Anwar would be arrested under the ISA, Syed Hamid said it was up to the police to decide.
"It’s not my decision," he said after visiting the LCCT and Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
Syed Hamid also said that there was a need to develop the advanced passenger information system (APIS) which would enable the authorities to obtain information on arriving passengers.
He said the system would enhance the security management of all airports in the country.
He also said that the police would deploy 800 additional personnel to airports throughout the country, particularly at the Kota Kinabalu, Penang, Langkawi and Kuching airports. – Bernama
