Don't bring Umno election into Parliament - Nurul: PR on watch for Zahid's "draconian" laws

UPDATE3 KUALA LUMPUR - Pakatan Rakyat leaders will keeping a sharp eye out on any attempt by Prime Minister Najib Razak's government to introduce any "draconian" laws, warning him not allow the ongoing Umno election to influence proceedings at the august House.

"This session we are only be concerned about the news laws to be introduced. We are not sure how draconian these will be as it is supposed to give the police more teeth. So let's see what's in store," Nurul told Malaysia Chronicle as she entered the Parliament lobby to attend the sitting.

"All I ask is that don't let Umno agenda dictate the future for Malaysia. Let their internal dynamic play butt please make sure we have the best candid to man Malaysia instead of the most loyal to the PM and incompetent."

Don't bring Umno election into the Parliament - Nurul warns

Zahid to amend PROCA, extending law to Sabah and Sarawak

Home Minister Zahid Hamidi is due to raise new detention laws to curb crime following a recent spate of violent shoots. He was among the first to speak in Parliament when proceedings began, notifying the House of his intention to amend the Prevention of Crime Act or PROCA.

The minister had drawn much flak for his aggressive lobbying of new oppressive laws to help the police fight crime, which the Opposition and civil society have warned will further dent Malaysia's already weak human rights record.

"In order to stop crime, the minister says he is going to amend the Prevention of Crime Act which allows for detention without trial for 70 days. And worse than that, he is going to extend it to Sabah and Sarawak," MP for Padang Serai N Surendran later told a press conference at Parliament lobby.

"This is an admission of complete failure on the part of the government. They are saying without this law they cannot stop crime. In the UK, US and our neighboring countries like Thailand, do they have such laws? No, and yet they can stop crime. So what is the excuse of the Home Minister that unless theyhave this oppressive law, they cannot stop crime"

"We will oppose this on principle because what we want is better training for the police, better equipment for the police to stop crime. In the end, their secret motive is that they will use this oppressive law on the Opposition and on civil society."

Zahid a "complete failure" to rely on draconian crime law - Surendran

Pressing issues on economy, share and ringgit markets

Malaysia' Parliament began its second session today since the controversial May 5 general election. The sitting will end on October 3, and resume later in the month when Najib unveils the 2014 Budget on the 25th.

Two other Acts related to the legal profession – Legal Profession Act 1976 and Legal Profession (Amendment) Act 2012) – are up for amendment.

Only the Supplementary Supply Bill, which seeks to gain Parliament’s approval for additional money for the government, is up for debate.

"We hope there will be no more supplementary budget. Instead, we hope to be able to debate some of the more pressing issues that are haunting the country such as the situation of the economy, the sliding of our share market and ringgit and a more effective way to combat crime.

"We hope the government will adopt a more progressive and proactive way to combat crime rather than to go back to draconian laws," MP for Batu Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle at the Parliament lobby.

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