Anwar: PCA tweaks a show of arrogance by BN: KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 3 — Putrajaya’s move to reintroduce the contentious ‘detention without trial’ element in the country’s criminal laws is a reflection of Barisan Nasional’s (BN) arrogance, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today. The Opposition Leader, commenting on the rushed approval of amendments to the Prevention of Crime Act 1959 (PCA) in the wee hours of the morning, also labelled the tweaks a violation of basic human rights and a contravention of principles outlined in the Federal Constitution. “BN’s move to pass the PCA Bill is proof yet again that their actions are rapacious and arrogant while denying basic fundamental liberties,” Anwar told a press conference at Parliament lobby here. The Permatang Pauh MP lashed out at the ruling pact for allegedly reneging on its own promise for political reform by reintroducing preventive detention shortly after repealing the Internal Security Act and the Emergency Ordinance - two contentious laws that were heavily criticised for permitting detention without trial. “Even if though the laws are well-intended to fight crime it cannot be upheld if it denies the principles of justice and violates basic human rights recognised by the world,” Anwar said. Putrajaya surrendered its preventive detention powers when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak repealed the two colonial era laws as part of his pledge to provide Malaysians with greater civil liberties. The police and the Home Ministry later blamed an apparent rise in crime recently on the release of detainees previously held under the EO, and led a concerted campaign to push for its revival prior to the tabling of the amendments in Parliament last week. The bid to reintroduce the contentious power also led to fears that Malaysia was about to return to the “draconian” days when preventive detention was allegedly used as a tool to silence political dissent. “Section 19A (of the law) is susceptible to abuse because not only do arrests can be made for crime cases, but also for public security and peace which is often linked to the activities of the political parties,” Anwar said of the PCA changes. Anwar also noted that Section 15A of the new law denies the right for anyone detained under the PCA to seek legal redress. Last night, Barisan Nasional (BN) lawmakers muscled through a third reading of the controversial Bill to amend the 1959 security law that will empower the government to detain a person without trial. BN MPs overpowered the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) opposition pact with 115 against 66 votes in favour of the changes in bloc voting held after debating the proposed amendments for over 10 hours. The opposition leader added that PR would continue to campaign against the PCA despite the amendments having been passed. He added that Putrajaya should also focus on beefing up the police force in its efforts to combat crime instead of resorting to such laws. dlvr.it/44PZ4m
Posted on: Thu, 03 Oct 2013 07:54:12 +0000
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