Sunday, November 9, 2008

Govt to appeal Raja Petra's release

The Home Ministry will appeal against the Shah Alam High Court decision to release Raja Petra Kamarudin from detention under the Internal Security Act, the prime minister said.

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the government respected the court's decision but would nevertheless mount an appeal.

Asked if the government would be more carefulbefore making future ISA arrests, Abdullah said:

"The Home Ministry is always careful. The power of ISA detention is not to be used carelessly.

"Tere is a reason for all the arrests made under the ISA."

Raja Petra, 58 who was detained under the ISA on Sept. 12, was released on Thursday by the Shah Alam High Court.

Judge Datuk Syed Ahmad Helmy Syed Ahnad accepted the habeas corpus application filed by the blogger. He ruled that the grounds given by Home Minister datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar for Raja Pettra's detention did not fall within the scope of Section 8(1) of the ISA.

raja Petra was arrested as he was deemed a security threat.

Penang Gerakan has urged the government not to filed an appeal.

State Gerakan chairman Datuk doktor Teng Hock Nan said rhe party was happy with the court's decision, which had shown the jidicial system was tansparent.

"We should respect the High Court's decision that Raja Petra is not a direct threat to the nation."

Dr. Teng said Gerakan also wanted the government toreview the ISA to review the ISA and replace it with an anti-terrorism act.

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