The Malaysian Bar has called on the government to withdraw its tabled amendments to the National Security Council (NSC) Act 2016 and then move to abolish the controversial law.
Malaysian Bar president Abdul Fareed Abdul Gafoor (above) said the law, in its original form, already has all the hallmarks of authoritarianism, and that the Pakatan Harapan government had pledged in its election manifesto to abolish the NSC under a list of "tyrannical" and "oppressive" law.
"The Malaysian Bar reminds the government that it has more than enough laws giving it more than enough powers to address security concerns.
"If there are gaps in laws to effectively deal with security concerns, existing laws can be amended or appropriate new laws enacted, without recourse to the repressive laws that the government had promised to abolish," said Abdul Fareed.
"The tabling of the bill to further strengthen the draconian NSC Act can only be understood as an abandonment of Pakatan Harapan government’s election promise as well as its commitment and willingness to bringing forth genuine and positive legislative reform," he stressed.
Abdul Fareed also noted that it would not be the Malaysian Bar's first time raising concerns over the act passed during the previous BN administration.
"As detailed in the Malaysian Bar’s press statements issued on Dec 3, 2015 and June 15, 2016, the NSC Act is of questionable constitutional validity and violates the rule of law.
"Further, the NSC Act avoids public scrutiny and proper accountability, and promotes unfettered discretion and an environment of impunity," he added.
Amendments to the NSC Act tabled in the Dewan Rakyat last week, among others, will see the prime minister’s powers stripped while further empowering the NSC.
The NSC (Amendment) Act 2019, if passed, will also see more teeth being added to possible prosecution under the act including for information leaks and non-compliance by individuals.
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