THE Home Ministry will take legal action against anyone who makes a false statutory declaration, Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar told the Senate yesterday.

"This country is a free country, and anyone can go to the authorities and make a statutory declaration.

"But people must realise this is a serious matter and if anyone makes a false declaration, he had better be prepared to the face the brunt of the law," he said in winding-up the debate on the Mid-Term Review of the Ninth Malaysia Plan.

On opposition parties and their propensity to hold street demonstrations, Syed Hamid said this was a new trend and was aimed at creating an unstable situation.

"Foreign media reports gave the impression that these demonstrations occurred nationwide.
"But in reality, it only occurred in one particular area involving some 300 people," he said.

He was referring to the protest following the arrest of Parti Keadilan Rakyat adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in connection with a sodomy allegation in Kuala Lumpur recently.

"The government will be firm, but will not use force in dealing with the demonstrators," he said.