Zahid slams those attacking Poca amendments

Deputy Prime Minister says with crime reduced by 47% due to Prevention of Crime Act, those defending human rights should not have double standards over amendments.

PUTRAJAYA: Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has defended the amendments made to the Prevention of Crime Act 1959 (Poca), stating those who are against it are practising double standards.

He targeted those whom he said defend human rights as being the biggest opponents to the Poca amendments passed in the Dewan Rakyat last week.

“We know that the amendements will be manipulated by so called people who are defenders of human rights.

“But Poca has managed to reduce 47% of crime in the country,” he said in his speech after launching a new book titled “Poca: Nafas Baharu Banteras Jenayah”.

Zahid said the amendments were only carried out after town hall engagements and brainstroming sessions involving intellectuals, lawmakers, civil societies and NGOs.

“Why take the trouble as we could have just discussed the amendments with the Attorney-General’s Chambers if we wanted to,” Zahid said, adding he hoped his explanation clears any misconceptions of the amendments made to Poca.

Elaborating on the amendments, he said it gives powers to the board to revoke, suspend or extend detention orders.

“This power is now given to the board and not the minister, thus Poca protects detainees,” he said.

Zahid, who is also home minister, added that having a monitoring device on a detainee will also reduce the cost of placing detainees in prison.

“Crime is a big issue. It does not matter if it is an MP, government, opposition or the royalty, or even diplomats, crime is our enemy.

“It looks like some quarters who want to prevent crime, are actually supporting crime instead. They seem to be seen as human right defenders but are having double standards,” Zahid said.

He reiterated that Poca was introduced in 1959 to prevent crime that involved gangs and secret societies.

“It gave the right to the home minister to issue an order for a detainee to be under police surveillance for more than five years.”

Referring to the book which was launched, Zahid said it was unique as it has a compilation of the hansard from the Dewan Rakyat.

The 315-page book with five chapters is said to be an authoritative reference on Poca.

The amendment to Poca, which was passed by the Dewan Rakyat last week, included the re-appointment of board members without conditions for any period of time.

The amendment also imposes penalties for damaged or lost electronic monitoring devices and empowers the courts to impose jail terms on those who default on payments for the damage or loss of an electronic monitoring device.

The new Section 10A will also look into the release of a remanded person.

It was previously reported that the Prevention of Crime (Amendment and Extension) Act 2013, passed by Parliament last October, allowed suspected criminals to be detained without trial for up to two years. - FMT