PUTRAJAYA: Law reforms will not be stalled, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi asserted yesterday.

"With or without the minister in charge, we will carry out what had been planned."

Abdullah was commenting on Datuk Zaid Ibrahim's decision to resign as minister in the Prime Minister's Department, where he was de facto law minister.

He said Zaid's departure from the cabinet had not weakened the government as it was never dependent on an individual.

"The government will continue its efforts (on reforms).
"It is not dependent on one particular person such that if he is not around the government will fall or weaken," he said after a meeting with all secretaries-general at his office yesterday.

Zaid submitted his resignation on Monday, a day after he had expressed unhappiness over the manner the government had used the ISA. He confirmed his resignation yesterday.

On Sept 13, three people were detained under the Internal Security Act. They were DAP member of parliament for Seputeh Teresa Kok, Malaysia Today portal editor Raja Petra Kamaruddin and Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng. Tan was released a day later.

Commenting on criticism by Zaid and other cabinet and government members on the use of the ISA last week, Abdullah said while some were merely expressing their views, others had issues with the way the law was enforced.

"This (open criticism) is only because ministers are allowed to talk (disagree)...

"But this is good as the people want to be assured that even in the cabinet there are groups who would voice their opinions (even if they differ).

"This is a healthy democracy," Abdullah reiterated that the ISA was necessary for the country's wellbeing if it was applied rationally and in fair manner.

The government had no plans yet to repeal the ISA.

But what was imperative was that the ISA be enforced "rationally and fairly", he said.