KUALA LIPIS, Malaysia March 20 (NNN-BERNAMA) --Najib Tun Razak said the amendment to the International Security Act (ISA) and related laws was to ensure a comprehensive change in dealing with security issue in the country.

The prime minister said the review was also to keep abreast with times and the wishes of the people.

"The home minister has brought the matter to the cabinet yesterday and the ministers agreed that if other related laws are not similarly amended, it will create an awkward situation," he told reporters after opening the Rural and Regional Development Ministry's 50th anniversary at Dataran Lipis, here on Saturday.

On Friday, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the amendment to the ISA would be tabled along with amendments to six other laws.

The six are Prevention of Crime Act 1959 to review its effectiveness in preventing crimes; Section 27 of the Police Act 1960 relating to staging of assemblies without a permit; Banishment Act 1959 (Revised 1972) to determine if the law is still relevant; and Restricted Residence Act 1933 to review its effectiveness.

Other laws are the Dangerous Drugs Act (Special Preventive Measures) 1985 and the Emergency Ordinance (Public Order and Crime Prevention) 1969.

The ISA aspects to be reviewed are the detention period, rights and treatment of detainees, powers of the Home Minister and detention without trial.

Najib said the government was serious in bringing about changes on the issue of security in the country.

"We will study and implement change to these laws in line with current needs and the wishes of the people," he said.

-- NNN-BERNAMA