We are BN’s bedrock, says state speaker denying NSC Bill aimed at Sarawak

The speaker of the Sarawak state assembly says the National Security Council Bill is aimed at the peninsula and Sabah for the security woes relating to international organisations. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, December 6, 2015.Sarawak state assembly speaker Datuk Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar has denied claims that the National Security Council Bill passed in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday was aimed at the state, The Star Online reported.

Rejecting allegations that it could be used to curtail political dissent in Sarawak, Amar reportedly said that the state was the "bedrock" of Barisan Nasional.

"No, no, no! How could it be aimed at Sarawak? Sarawak is the mainstay of Barisan Nasional. It's the bedrock of Barisan. This security (council) is not directed at Sarawak."

He also said that the bill was introduced due to the security issues faced in the peninsula and in Sabah, denying that it was passed to coincide with the state elections which must be held by mid-2016.

"You have new organisations coming up internationally. To prevent them from coming in and spreading, you need the council. It is necessary in light of recent situations in the peninsula and Sabah.

"Sarawak as a state is very peaceful. Our political stability is based on racial harmony," he reportedly said, adding that continued racial harmony would ensure the NSC would not be used in Sarawak.

The NSC bill gives powers to the council headed by Datuk Seri Najib Razak to order security forces, including the police and army, to arrest anyone without a warrant once an area is declared a security area.

The bill gives the prime minister the power to impose "emergency-like" conditions, without the same safeguards as previously available under the Constitution.

Under Article 150 of the Federal Constitution, the Agong must be satisfied that there is a need for a declaration of emergency before giving consent.

Opposition parties, activists, the Malaysian Bar and even an international group, Human Rights Watch (HRW), have criticised the bill, which some see as a tool for repression that could threaten human rights and democratic rule.

- TMI