Twelve other amendment bills withdrawn

PARLIAMENT The second reading of a total of 12 amendment bills tabled along with the Prevention of Crime Act (PCA) have been withdrawn from this Parliament sitting.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nancy Shukri (right) (BN-Batang Sadong) raised the motion today to postpone the second reading for the accompanying amendments.

The amendment bills are: 

1) Penal Code (Amendment) Bill 2013
2) Security Offences (Special Measures) (Amendment) Bill 2013
3) Prison (Amendment) Bill 2013
4) Crime Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill 2013
5) Evidence (Amendment) Bill 2013
6) Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons (Amendment ) Bill 2013
7) Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) (Amendment) Bill 2013
8) Common Gaming Houses (Amendment) Bill 2013
9) Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2013
10) Pool Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013
11) Fees (Department of Museums Malaysia)
12) Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2013

Despite opposition from various human right groups, the Dewan Rakyat passed the Prevention of Crime (Amendment and Extension) Bill 2013 at midnight last night, thereby providing Putrajaya with wide-ranging powers to detain suspects without trial for up to two years, which can be extended for another two years.

Opposition lawmakers had argued that detention without trial was an affront to principles of justice, and also warned that it can be abused.

[More to follow]