With Prevention of Crime Act passed, now Zahid wants to meet Bar Council

Now that the changes to the Prevention of Crime Act (PCA) have been passed, the Home Minister is willing to meet the Bar Council, which had earlier complained that Putrajaya had not consulted it for any input.

"We will have a consultation with the Bar Council and the Attorney-General's Chambers if there is a need for an amendment to clauses under the act," he told reporters at the Parliament today.

Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic) said he does not want the PCA to be seen as allowing detention without trial, when he had already explained several times that there is a Crime Prevention Board which will decide on such detention.

Ahmad Zahid said that one has to be reminded, however, that the detention is just preventive by trait and it is the High Court that decides and gives a final decision on any decisions made by the board.

"Previously under the Internal Security Act (ISA), the Emergency Ordinance (EO) and the Restricted Residence Ordinance under the EO, the Home Minister had absolute power to issue orders to detain, but under the PCA, such powers have been wiped out," he added.

According to Ahmad Zahid, this is proof that Putrajaya has made a sound decision by taking human rights concerns into consideration, and this also reflects the transformation agenda Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak champions.

"The human rights issue was the one brought up by opposition members. What about the rights of victims of crime and triads? What about their rights?” he asked.

Zahid said he considered all aspects before tabling the amendments to the PCA.

“Certain quarters are only looking at it from a legal aspect as the main objective for them is to fight.

"Don't just see this from a legal perspective. It has to be viewed holistically as the main agenda is to curb crime,” he said.