Powers of detention to be given to panel: Home minister

Ministerial powers given under four draconian laws would be given to a panel instead under new laws that would replace them to help avoid abuse, says Home Minister Zahid Hamidi.

He said the opposition were concerned about abuses under the Internal Security Act (ISA), Sedition Act, Restricted Residence Act and the Emergency Ordinance (EO) because it gives powers of detention to the home minister.

"The laws that will replace the four Acts will state that the powers would be given to panel members instead, and do not involve politicians who have become ministers.

"That means that the panel can be comprised of professionals whether from the police, judges, or the Attorney-General's Chambers.

"It is not on individual capacity but in the name of the committee that makes the evaluation," he was quoted in an interview published in Utusan Malaysia today.

Thus far, of the four Acts, only the Sedition Act remains in force pending its replacement by the National Harmony Act.

The other three have already been repealed with the ISA being replaced by the Security Ordinance (Special Measures) Act (Sosma), and the remainder do not have direct replacement legislations.

In his interview, Zahid also said that several new clauses may be introduced into Sosma to strengthen it, but the report did not reveal any details about the amendment.

When asked about crime, Zahid said the incidence of serious crime is on the rise, although incidence of crime in general is falling.

He blamed it on, among others, the repeal of the EO and the subsequent release of its detainees who were detained without trial.

Of the detainees, he said about 2,600 of them have at least 10 lieutenants, who in turn each have at least 10 followers. These are now at now at large.

In addition, he said the police force needs more personnel and its equipment needs to be improved to keep up with the repeal of the EO and the Restricted Residence Act, but this has yet been done.