He said the move was to ensure that the proposed abolition of the act would not result in a spike in crime rates and terrorism-related activities.
“While we are all in favour of the need for human rights and to ensure that the rights of those who are likely to be arrested are also protected, it is also important to safeguard the rights of the victims of crime,” he said in a statement, today.
Lee said among the stakeholders that the government should consult included law enforcement agencies and NGOs which were involved in anti-crime activities and human rights.
The statement said that soon after the Internal Security Act (ISA) was repealed in 2012 and followed by the release of former ISA detainees, there was a significant increase in the country’s crime rate as reported.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the government would repeal laws that are oppressive, especially Sosma.
Mahathir said the act, which was introduced during former prime minister Najib Razak’s administration, allowed the government to arrest anyone without having to go to court.