‘New preventive law must be specific’

New set of preventive laws to replace the Emergency Ordinance must be more specific, says MCA vice-president Donald Lim.

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA vice-president Donald Lim said the new law to replace the repealed Emergency Ordinance (EO) should be definitive and specific in tackling crime.

Lim told FMT that it was time for the Barisan Nasional to reform itself and deliver its promises to the people.

“We have to be more specific and state the type of crime we are dealing with,” he said.

Lim said the people were happy when the government repealed the ISA and praised Najib for his reforms.

Last week, Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the first draft of new set of laws replacing the EO was now with the Attorney-General’s chambers.

However, in a buka puasa event yesterday, Zahid said the police were toothless without the EO.

Zahid said since the EO was repealed, organised or serious crimes increased by 90% which were carried out by former criminals.

Crime and unemployment

When asked on the recent spike in crime, Lim blamed unemployment among the locals as a factor that contributed to crime growth.

“The jobs are being taken away by foreign workers, leaving our local boys with no option but to commit crime,” he said.

Lim then added that the work permits given to foreigners should be controlled and minimum wages be implemented on all sectors to curb the problem.

“Foreign labours are cheaper than locals, so companies prefer foreigners. This got to be control. Work permits shouldn’t be given away so easily,” he added.

“I think it is time for us to implement the minimum wage scheme in full. Living expenses are getting higher so we have to be realistic,” Lim said.