Razak’s NOC was ‘warranted’, unlike son's NSC

The National Security Council bill which was passed in Parliament on Thursday night is set to equip Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak - as head of NSC - extensive powers with regard to the country’s security.

Malaysiakini takes a look at the transformation of the NSC throughout the years, which was first set up as the National Operations Council (Mageran) following the 1969 racial riots.

Mageran, then, was headed by Najib’s father, the late Abdul Razak Hussein, Malaysia’s second prime minister.

The council was established in the wake of the May 13 riots to improve national defence and public safety, among others. It was dissolved in early 1971.

Former information minister Zainuddin Maidin argued that the setting up of Mageran was a “good thing”.

“It was set up to make people understand that in an emergency, the government has to deal with things in a drastic manner.

“It was also established to build the people’s confidence in the leadership,” he said.

Abdul Razak, Zainuddin added, was an effective leader who managed to gain the confidence from all political parties except the DAP through the establishment of the national consultative council back then.

“I don’t know how far the NSC will be able to achieve its new aims if the people cannot see its sincerity in terms of its approach," he said.

Zainuddin also believes that Najib is indeed trying to consolidate his power through the NSC.

According to him, no leaders have managed to stay in power without some form of manipulation.

“Najib is trying to maintain his position by showing that he’s supposedly practicing democracy, for example, in that the party can criticise him. But it’s all a mockery,” he decried.

Level of threat is questionable

Meanwhile, veteran newsman A Kadir Jasin pointed out that Mageran was established in response to a real event - the May 13 racial riots.

Whereas the new NSC bill seemed to be reacting to an unspecified level of security threat.

“The level of threat is questionable to warrant such an Act. Also, since the May 13 incident, many laws and regulations were introduced to ensure the security of the country and the safety of the people.

“I don’t see why we need such a law now. That proposal appears to be an attempt to concentrate power and to create an all-embracing law that overrides all other laws,” he said.

And this, argued Kadir, could be dangerous for many quarters.

“If the current government is hoping to find safety in this law from a narrow political point of view, then it can be very dangerous for the country as well as for the people who are passing the law,” he said.

With the assumption that the current government will fall in the next election, Kadir said the law could then likewise be used by the next government.

“The next government may not like the law but before they amend the law they will probably use it to the maximum against the members of the current government.

“If you think that this law is to protect you, this law can be used against you later on,” he warned.

The NSC, set up in February 1971 after Mageran was dissolved, was tasked to handle security strategies, management of natural disasters and the borders between Malaysia and its neighbouring countries.

In its role to handle security strategies, it is tasked with safeguarding the country’s sovereignty be it on land, space, and even cyberspace.

It also acts as a focal point in its role in crisis and disaster management which includes prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response as well as recovery and reconstruction.

It is also tasked in raising public awareness to reduce the risk of disasters.

In its handling of the country’s borders, it is involved in cooperating with neighbouring countries to increase bilateral confidence through multiple programmes agreed by both parties.

Agong should proclaim emergency

The new bill, on the other hand, will allow the prime minister to declare any area a security area. It will also provide wide-ranging powers to security forces deployed to a security area.

It will make the NSC the government's central authority on matters concerning national security.

The bill also tasks the NSC with formulating policies and strategic measures relating to national security.

This includes sovereignty, territorial integrity, defence, social, political and economic stability, strategic resources and national unity.

DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang said the NSC will allow the authorities to operate under emergency conditions without the declaration of an emergency.

And this, he said, will be a show of no confidence for the cabinet.

“Although everybody knows the cabinet is merely a rubber stamp, why can’t the matter be decided by the cabinet?

“You have the prime minister as chairperson of the NSC and the prime minister chairs a meeting to advise the prime minister; it sounds so ridiculous.

Lim stressed that should an emergency be proclaimed, it should be done by the Agong as enshrined by the federal constitution. -Mkini