'Najib will not become dictator with NSC Bill'

The National Security Council Bill 2015 (NSC Bill) will not make the prime minister, who chairs the council, a dictator, Minister in the Prime Minister Department Shahidan Kassim said today.

"The powers given under the bill will not make the prime minister a dictator, as the power to declare a state of emergency still remains with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong," Shahidan said when tabling the bill for its second reading in the Senate.

He denied that the prime minister will have extensive powers in declaring a place as an security area, as stipulated under Section 18 of NSC Bill.

"The prime minister only declares the security area on the advice of the National Security Council, not in his individual capacity. The members who sit in the council have knowledge of national security.

"Thus, the accusations that the law gives the prime minister extensive powers are baseless," Shahidan said.

It is expected the Uppear House of Parliament will seek to pass the bill by tomorrow - the last day of the session.

[More to follow]

-Mkini