'Putrajaya has failed to protect rights of the rakyat'

With the passing of the National Security Council Bill 2015 (NSC Bill) last night, human rights NGO Suaram says the government of Malaysia has failed to fulfil its oath to protect the rights of Malaysians.

"As the representatives of the peoples of Malaysia, they have clearly turned their back on the oath they have taken when they failed to safeguard the rights of Malaysians and wilfully participated in the destruction of these rights," Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy said in a statement today.

This is because, Sevan explained, the NSC Bill would render null and void the rights and liberties guaranteed to all Malaysians under the Federal Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

As such, he said, Suaram condemns the passing of the NSC Bill.

He pointed out that civil societies have tried to engage with MPs and senators from both sides of the partisan, but have been snubbed by some BN MPs and senators.

All efforts for discussion snubbed

"Despite the genuine concern expressed by the civil societies, some MPs and senators from BN have snubbed all efforts for discussion and went out of their way to demean and ridicule the efforts of the civil societies," he lamented.

Even the European Parliament censured the NSC Bill on Dec 17, Sevan said, but the Malaysian government had ignored this and proceeded with its "dastardly plans to further dismantle Malaysia's democratic institutions".

This will only further tarnish Malaysia's image internationally and reveal the deception of Malaysian leaders as liberal and moderate, he said.

Now that the NSC Bill has been passed, it is only months before the prime minister is granted powers unheard of in Malaysian history, Sevan said, adding that Suaram has no doubt that these powers would eventually be used to suppress dissent.

"The latest addition to the Malaysian government's arsenal will further empower its agents to continue its despicable violations of human rights and fast track the erosion of human rights in Malaysia," Sevan said.

The NSC Bill was passed in Dewan Negara on a voice vote last night, without any amendment.

This came despite numerous concerns raised by BN lawmakers that certain provisions may be unconstitutional, and after DAP senator Chandra Mohan filed a motion for a special committee to look at improving the bill.

However, the government promised it would improve the shortcomings in the controversial bill, if there are any.

The bill, slammed for giving the prime minister absolute power to receive intelligence and address security issues, was passed by Dewan Rakyat on Dec 3. -Mkini