DAP exco: Voters will ‘punish’ Harapan for slow pace of law reform

A Pakatan Harapan lawmaker foresees that the government will be “punished” for its slow pace in amending draconian laws and its continual use of such acts.

In particular, Perak executive councillor Abdul Aziz Bari (above) cautioned that this sentiment would manifest in the upcoming Tanjung Piai by-election.

The DAP politician was asked during a forum about the police’s recent use of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) to arrest those suspected of being supporters of now-defunct terrorist group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

“We all know that Harapan, in its manifesto, promised to abolish draconian laws but I have to admit that the process of abolishing them may not be happening as how people expect.

“In principle, Harapan is committed to abolishing laws like this (Sosma).

“But with what is happening now, this will ignite debate and analysis over whether laws like this should remain or not,” he said during the “Federalism” forum at the National History Convention in Bangi this evening.

Two DAP assemblypersons, Malacca exco G Saminathan and Seremban Jaya assemblyperson P Gunasekaran, were among the 12 detained under Sosma last week. The law is controversial in that it allows detention without trial for up to 28 days.

Harapan pledged to abolish draconian provisions of the law in its manifesto and the Home Ministry is presently studying ways to amend it.

Abdul Aziz predicted that the delay in implementing reforms will cost Harapan in Tanjung Piai.

“I feel that the rakyat will punish Harapan and tell it what they think about this delay (in law reform) in the upcoming by-election.

“[...] and we have to be ready to accept the answer,” he said.

Harapan is slated to face stiff opposition in the Nov 16 by-election.

The late MP Mohd Farid Mohd Rafik won the seat by a sliver in a three-cornered fight in GE14, but opposition parties Umno and PAS have since joined forces and will now challenge Harapan for the racially diverse seat. - Mkini