'Najib not sincere in pushing reforms through'

The use of the new amendments to the Prevention of Crime Act (PCA) to detain people without trial shows that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is not sincere about pushing reforms through, says Sarawak DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen.

"His transformation programmes are mere rhetoric. He has no sincerity to push through with his reforms," said Chong, the MP for Bandar Kuching and ssemblyperson for Kota Sentosa.

"But that is how he is staying in power," he added.

Chong (right) said this in reference to the statement by Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar that more than 100 suspects are in the police list, to be detained once the amendments to the PCA are gazetted. 

The amendments will, among others, allow the detention of a person, without the benefit of being heard in court, for up to two years.

"Once the amendments are gazetted, the police will start enforcing the law," Khalid said, pointing out that 41 suspects have so far been detained under the PCA for alleged involvement in illegal activities.

Chong said the PCA was just a resurrection of the Internal Security Act (ISA), which has been abolished.

"What was the evil of ISA is now the evil of PCA. Simple is that," he told Malaysiakini.

"The police cannot simply use this draconian law - detention without trial - to justify their lack of efficiency or inability to carry out their duties professionally.

"The potential for abuse of power is always there when there is a detention without trial," Chong said.

"The government has said this law is not for politicians. But how confident are we of the promise made by the government," Chong asked, adding that he was worried because the government has often failed to keep its promises.

"We are not only worried, but we are moving backward, especially in terms of human rights, in terms of education and economics, and even in terms of social harmony.

"We are actually moving backward in all aspects in terms of religion and of the different races living harmoniously," the DAP leader added.

"We regard Najib's transformation programmes as mere rhetoric. He has no sincerity in pushing for reforms."