Those arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for forging passports, identification cards and travel documents are now allegedly acting as 'agents' for the public in processing travel-related documents.

This revelation came from a Barisan Nasional (BN) backbencher in Parliament today. He urged the government to act against these individuals.

When debating the Private Employment Agencies (Amendment) Bill, Mohd Said Yusof (BN-Jasin) claimed a number of ex-ISA detainees were among the 'private agents' who offered their services at the immigration department in Damansara, Kuala Lumpur.

"They were detained under ISA for forging passports, identification cards or travel documents, how could they be allowed to manage this kind of agency work?" he asked.

At this juncture, Ronald Kiandee (BN-Beluran) said such agents, comprising ex-ISA detainees, were also operating in Sabah.

Employment opportunities

However, Parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timor) viewed the issue differently.

He criticised Mohd Said, saying his remarks were tantamount to denying ex-ISA detainees employment opportunities.

"Moreover, they have been held under the draconian act without any trial, they should not be denied their right to a job," he told the House.

"Many leaders were held under ISA previously including former deputy prime minister (Anwar Ibrahim) and myself (detained) twice under the ISA. We don't feel shameful over our detention," he added.

Responding, the Jasin parliamentarian said Lim's argument was irrelevant to his debate.

The ISA, originally crafted to combat the Communist insurgency, was later used against those deemed as a threat to national security.

The law, which allows for detention without trial, earned notoriety when it was invoked against political dissidents.