PCA 'in line' with Najib's transformation programme

PARLIAMENT The reduced powers provided to the home minister means that the Prevention of Crime (Amendment and Extension) Act 2013 is still in line with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's "transformation" programme, despite the latter’s 2011 promise to so away with detention without trial.

Though therecently passedamended Act, which Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (left) had vehemently argued would only be used against hardcore criminals, allows for detention without trial, he said that the essential difference between previously abolished Emergency Ordinance (EO) and the Internal Security Act (ISA) was the scope of the minister's powers.

"It removes the absolute powers of the minister. This is part of the prime minister's transformation programme," the minister told the Dewan Rakyat shortly before the PCA amendments were passed in the House in the wee hours of the morning.

Najib was in the House when Zahid gave the explanation, which came following hours of questioning by Opposition MPs as to whether the bill contradicts the PM's pledge.

Zahid also said there was no need to provide any judicial review to the now five-member Crime Prevention Board's decision because the Act does allow for a habeas corpus to be pursued by a person arrested under the Act.

Zahid repeatedly reiterated that the act will not be used against politicians.

"I assure you again, this would not be used against someone just because we have political differences," he said, although there no guarantees spelled out in the Act specifying that the law would not be used against politicians and civil society members.

‘AG was consulted on amendments’

Meanwhile, prior to the amendments being passed, the minister had earlier in the Dewan Rakyat dismissed claims by some that the government did not consultAttorney-General (AG) Abdul Gani Patail (right) when drafting the amendments.

The allegation came as Abdul Gani had, in July, stated that he does not support the formation of any new law which would allow preventive detention.

In fact, according to Bernama, Zahid stressed that a “seminar and forum” was held between the Home Ministry, the AG's Chambers and several NGOs to formulate the Prevention of Crime (Amendment and Extension) 2013 bill before it was tabled in Parliament.

“On the amendments, the prime minister had directed the attorney-general to mention the point as the government did not want any implications of abuse of power by the minister," he reportedly said.