Najib's Reforms Political Ahead Of Elections Next Year - Radio Australia

Malaysia to revoke indefinite detention laws

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MalaysiaN Prime Minister Najib Razak. [Reuters]

Last Updated: 4 hours 23 minutes ago

From Radio Australia Online

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak says his decision to revoke the contentious Internal Security Act will ensure no one is detained for political reasons.

The law, originally established to fight communism, allows the government to detain people indefinitely without trial.

Political observers say the decision to remove the law could be political, with federal elections tipped to be held next year.

Professor Clive Kessler, from the University of New South Wales, told Connect Asia the Prime Minister was trying to change his image.

Professor Kessler said Mr Razak was responding to Malaysia's conservative, authoritarian side of politics.

"Now it seems with the prospect of an election coming, he's probably recognised that he has to move to the centre," he said.

"He's now trying to do that but his room to manoeuvre may be quite limited."

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