Law Minister Zaid says ISA wrongly used

De facto Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim broke ranks with the government today, and criticised the use of the Internal Security Act (ISA).At least one other Cabinet member from the MCA has also called for the ISA to be replaced.Zaid said the ISA should only be used against terrorists or against those who are trying to topple the government by force.The minister said the legislation, which provides for detention without trial, should not be used against "civilians."His comments, made at a press conference at his home in Kota Baru, today comes amid widespread criticism of the three recent arrests made under the ISA.On Friday, the police detained Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng, Seputeh MP and Selangor state executive councillor Teresa Kok and blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin.Tan has since been released following string protests and representations made on her behalf by Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders, including some from Umno.Leaders from the opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR) alliance have also criticised the use of the ISA by the police, and have accused the BN government of using the arrests to head off possibility of the opposition seizing power next week.But the criticisms of the ISA appear to have found a voice within BN.Zaid was not the only minister who spoke out against the ISA today, amid mounting public pressure for some sort of review of the ISA.Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai today proposed replacing the ISA with a Race Relations Act.MCA vice-president Datuk Dr Fong Chan Onn has also called for the ISA to be either reviewed or abolished.The police made the arrests last Friday, sparking fears of widespread detentions, to quell what the authorities believe was mounting racial tensions.This followed weeks of open disputes between the non-Malay and Malay parties within the ruling BN coalition over the controversial remarks of Penang Umno warlord Datuk Ahmad Ismail.Zaid said today that he would seek a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi for a "frank discussion" about the issue."I know I am breaking rank here," he told reporters."I am prepared for the consequences. If I am to resign I will do so."Zaid pointed out that he was not trying to be a troublemaker, but he would always be a vocal critic of the ISA.Writing in his weekly column today, The Star's Wong Chun Wai described the ISA as a draconian and archaic law."It shouldn't be used even against Ahmad," Wong wrote. "As this deprives him of the right to defend himself in open courts."