PUTRAJAYA: The Home Minister has given the assurance that the Prevention of Crime Act (PCA) would not be used against politicians or parties with dissenting views.
"The concern of the Bar Council, NGOs (non-governmental organisations), as well as opposition parties, is that the government may use the PCA to detain politicians.
"The government has given its assurrance that the PCA is 100 per cent aimed only at criminals. It will not be manipulated to control, detain and jail parties with differing views with the government. It is only to prevent crimes," he told reporters at a forum on crime prevention.
Amendments to the PCA bill will be debated at the Dewan Rakyat on Monday.
Ahmad Zahid noted that the amendments received good response from various parties, including opposition leaders and NGOs.
He requested all parties to look at the amendments positively as they were to protect the peace and security of the people.
"Thanks to non-governmental organisations (NGO) which gave positive opinions, and also thanks to friends in the opposition who are beginning to understand that the amendments to the PCA are meant to protect the people.
"At the same time, there are still some parties which do not understand the need and importance of the amendments, merely assuming that the amendments were to replace the Internal Security Act (ISA) which was abolished in 2011.
"Several parties have voiced reservations on the amendments to the PCA, despite my statement that it was not a bill to replace the ISA. It is a bill to solely prevent crime," he said.
He said the amendments would limit the power and any abuse of power by the minister and gave power to a three-man board comprising judges of High Court, Appeal Court and Federal Court appointed by the Yang Dipertuan Agong.
He explained that the amendments to the PCA would also enable the police to carry out crime eradication and prevention more effectively, following the abolition of the Emergency Ordinance and the Restricted Residence Act 1993.
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