KOTA KINABALU: The country has a more positive image with the rule of law being upheld under the present Government.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, who said this, added that as far as he knew, there had been no detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA) after Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi took over as Prime Minister in 2003.

"This is a positive thing," he said after opening a human rights seminar for supreme council members of his United Pasok Momogun Kadazandusun Organisation here yesterday.

Earlier, lawyer G.K. Ganesan told the seminar that the ISA was no longer relevant and should be repealed.

Asked about this, Dompok said: "It is something that we have to discuss and talk about.

"Until today we have no opportunity to discuss this particular matter and we do want to know more about it."

On the Kuala Lumpur High Court's decision to allow a former ISA detainee's RM2.5mil suit against the police and Government, the minister said this should be seen as a wake-up call to those involved in enforcing the law to ensure that they did not infringe on human rights.

"I think it is within anyone's rights to test if they have a case in court, or what they feel or how they want their grievances to be addressed," said Dompok.

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