NOT GIVING UP! Pakatan to continue to OPPOSING PCA amendments - Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR - Pakatan Rakyat will continue its protest against the controversial amendments to the Prevention of Crime Act (PCA).

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the amendments contravenes the fundamental issue to protect liberty, rule of law and human rights in the country.

"We will continue to oppose (the amendments) in all our deliberations in and outside of Parliament.

"We may launch a series of campaigns and forums to highlight the sheer desperation of the government in misleading the public...as if the PCA is the only way to battle crime," said Anwar in a press conference at the Parliament lobby today.

Asked if they will take to the streets to protest the amendments, Anwar said Pakatan has opted for "peaceful protests" instead.

"Our consensus is to avoid street protests as we have seen turmoil and civil unrest in many other countries.

"We have a duty to perform. We will continue to protest against the PCA through forums and ceramah," said the Permatang Pauh MP.

Anwar added that Pakatan as a whole agreed that crime is a problem in the country and it must be tackled by all means necessary but not through "draconian laws and regressive methods" which goes against human rights.

The PCA was passed early Thursday morning despite protests from opposition lawmakers who accused the government of backpeddling on its promise to introduce political reform by reinstating arbitrary detention powers.

The amended PCA effectively reintroduces detention without trial, similar to the now repealed Internal Security Act and Emergency Ordinance.

Meanwhile, Anwar said the Auditor-General's Report continues to show wastage and discrepancies in government spending, adding that stern action must be taken to curb it.

He said ministers in charge of their ministries must be held responsible and they should not take the easy way out by shifting the blame to their officers.

Anwar also asked the Public Accounts Committee to look into this matter and said he will ask Pakatan members in the PAC to bring this matter up in their meetings.