KUALA LUMPUR, 3 Oct: Pakatan Rakyat (PR) will continue to protest against the implementation of the Prevention of Crime Act 2013 (Amendments and Extension) despite being approved by the Umno-BN government.
Opposition Leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said, PR will intensify efforts to explain the PCA amendments through the organising of campaigns, forums and dialogues throughout the country.
“We will continue to oppose (the amendments) in all our deliberations in and outside of Parliament to provide information to the people on how desperate the government is in the implementation of this act.
“PR’s stand is that this law is rapacious and will be abused,” he said in a press conference at the Parliament lobby today.
Anwar explained that the government’s move to approve the PCA is proven to be an act of arrogance and an ignorance of the principles of natural justice.
He added that the amendments to the PCA is clearly against the Federal Constitution and violates human rights.
Anwar also said that the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, has no fixed stance and is weak under pressure to a point of having to agree to this new law.
“This is the second blatant lie of the promises made by the Prime Minister on 16 September 2011, when Datuk Seri Najib Razak said that the period of preventive detention will be shortened and the role of the courts will be expanded.
“Including the repeal of the Internal Security Act (ISA) and the Emergency Ordinance (EO), thus ending detention without trial,” he explained in a press conference at the Parliament lobby today.
He added that the government previously passed the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 or SOSMA and no the PCA 2013 amendments.
He explained, laws, despite its good intentions to deter crime, cannot be maintained when it sets aside principles of justice and violates fundamental rights recognised by the world.
“The PCA amendment now provides that Section 19A allows for detention without trial. Even Section 15A is seen denying judicial review in any court.
“Fact is, crime in Malaysia is serious. Pakatan Rakyat does not compromise in matters of eradicating crime. However, it should be dealt with effectively, in a professional manner by the police.
“The most effective measure is to implement the 125 recommendations by the Royal Commission to Enhance Operation and Management of the PDRM 2005,” he said.