Press Statement
3 December 2015
The National Security Council Bill is nothing but a brazen attempt at silencing all criticism of the Najib administration, particularly Najib himself. This proposed law has nothing to do with protecting national security. It is about protecting the political security of the Prime Minister Najib who is drowning in a sea of scandals.
Najib cannot use Parliament to bulldoze such a law which is clearly unconstitutional as it violates the basic freedoms of the people. This nation is already saddled with a plethora of repressive laws without another more draconian catch-all law that clearly runs counter to the democratic process and the institution of constitutional government. This law will take us only to one path and that is the path to dictatorship.
Najib cannot use the nation’s security as a mask to cover his wrong doings and to suppress opposition against his continuation of power both from within his party and outside.
Are we elected by the people in order to legislate sweeping powers for the Executive so that they can trample on our fundamental rights and liberties? Are we not sworn to protect the Federal Constitution and to uphold the Rukun Negara and ensure that this nation will progress under rule of law and democracy?
Everyone from Members of Parliament, political parties, civil societies and the general public must reject this bill as this strikes at the very centre of our conscience.
Mohamed Azmin Ali
Chief Minister of Selangor