Gov't must consider people's concerns about NSC Act repeal - Dr M

The Pakatan Harapan government must take into account public concerns over its election promise to repeal the National Security Council (NSC) Act 2016, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today.

While acknowledging that Harapan had promised to abolish a slew of draconian laws, Mahathir said that as a democratic nation, the government must also take into account the people's views.

"And some people feel if you abolish it, then a lot of gangsters and criminals will have free time to do what they like.

"So we have to study these things carefully before we make any decisions."

Mahathir was speaking during a press conference after launching the bi-annual Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism (Maha) Show 2018 in Serdang, Selangor today.

The NSC Act was listed in Harapan's election manifesto as a "tyrannical" law which must be repealed.

However, in a written parliamentary reply dated 19 Nov, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohamed Hanipa Maidin said the government has studied the act thoroughly and decided that it will only be amended and not abolished.

Royal assent

Prior to forming the government, Harapan lawmakers had heavily criticised the NSC Act as impinging on the powers of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong because it would grant the council's chair emergency powers.

Critics also said the act bypassed the Conference of Rulers and that the previous government had not obtained the royal assent before gazetting it as law.

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim had filed a judicial review to challenge the constitutionality of the Act in August 2016, a day after it came into force under Article 66(4A) of the Federal Constitution.

 The case is still pending and will be heard at the Kuala Lumpur High Court next year. - Mkini