Expressing support for the lifting of three emergency proclamations, parliamentary Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim however said it would be meaningless if similar and more repressive new laws were tabled in their place.
“Pakatan Rakyat supports the abolishment but at the same time opposes new laws which are undemocractic and draconian in nature,” said Anwar (right) referring to the widely criticised Peaceful Assembly Bill and new replacement laws for the Internal Security Act which will retain the government's power to detain anyone without trial.
Earlier, prime minister Najib Razak tabled the abolishment of three emergency proclamations, namely the 1966 Sarawak and 1977 Kelantan emergency declaration to contain political crises there, and the May 13 emergency laws in the wake of the racial riots of 1969.
Yesterday, PR demanded the BN government to withdraw the Peaceful Assembly Bill, which has been condemned as unconstitutional and which tightens restrictions on gatherings.
Home minister Hishamuddin Hussein however refused to entertain growing calls to drop the bill, accusing PR of politicising the bill.
Anwar meanwhile blasted Najib for not delivering his reforms promise.
He said the present Peaceful Assembly Bill, which replaces the Police Act, had more severe fines to punish those the authorities deemed as participants of 'illegal' assemblies .
-Harakahdaily
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