NSC very relevant, say senators

The establishment of the National Security Council (NSC) is timely and very relevant to the current situation as the nation faces various asymmetrical threats affecting public order and security.

Senator Admiral (R) Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor said this when debating on the bill at the Dewan Negara today.

"Present asymmetrical threats encompass the IS (militant group or Daesh), human trafficking and cross-border crimes," said the former Malaysian Armed Forces chief.

As such, the country needed a more effective security mechanism or law as the inability to check such threats might lead to an emergency, he said.

He added the enforcement of the law should be further scrutinised to ensure there was no abuse.

Meanwhile, Senator Dayang Madinah Abang Haji Openg wants the NSC to have representatives from Sabah and Sarawak to enable them to obtain first-hand information on security threats in the country.

In sharing the same view, Senator Boon Som Inong said the participation of Sabah and Sarawak representatives in the NSC would demonstrate the government was serious in ensuring security and peace in the two states.

In this regard, Senator Jaspal Singh Gurbakhes Singh said the bill would enable swift action to be taken without the need to wait for a long time.

It was reported the bill provided authority to security forces to detain, confine, arrest people and the authority to inspect, seize, search premises of dangerous substances, power to inspect people for dangerous substances as well as the power to seize vehicles, vessels, aircraft or carriers.

The security forces comprise the police, police volunteer reserve, auxiliary police, Malaysian Armed Forces and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.

The Dewan Negara will sit again tomorrow.

- Bernama