“The protest is politically-motivated and there isn’t much to be gained from it. It only causes a lot of hassle to city folk,” Prime Minister Najib Razak said.
His comments come a day after a massive opposition-backed demonstration here that saw the participation of over 15,000 people.
He said the protest was unnecessary as the government was already in the midst of reviewing the ISA, which allows authorities to detain people indefinitely. Around 589 people, including 44 juveniles, were arrested on Saturday at numerous locations in the city, the paper said.
Home Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the ISA may be amended at the next sitting of the Dewan Rakyat, the lower house of Parliament.
Published 02 August 2009, 17:17 IST