PCA not to intimidate opposition, assures Zahid

The controversial amendments to the Prevention of Crime Act (PCA) is not a tool to replace the repealed Internal Security Act (ISA) or to intimidate the opposition and civil society, said Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Despite widespread criticism over the amendments tabled this week, he stressed the fundamental purpose is to combat crime to ensure public safety.

"As you can see, the amendment is removing the power from the minister to avoid abuse," he said in his speech before launching a crime prevention forum in Putrajaya today.

Under the proposed amendment, he said, the government was committed to give power to a three-member board led either by a Federal Court judge, a Court of Appeal judge or a High Court judge.

The board holds the power to issue detention orders and supervision orders to those registered under offences named in the Act.

[More to follow]