KUALA LUMPUR: The Home Ministry is planning to table amendments to the Prevention of Crime Act (Poca) 1959 in next year’s Parliament session, says Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah.
The Deputy Home Minister told the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (Nov 20) the amendments were necessary following the Federal Court’s April 2022 decision that Sections 4 and 15B of the Act were unconstitutional.
In response to the court’s decision, he said the Home Ministry conducted several engagement sessions with stakeholders and presented the proposed amendments to the Cabinet on Dec 13 last year, where they received approval.
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A special stakeholder engagement session in February, involving ministers, government officials, MPs and NGO representatives fine-tuned the amendments, he added.
Following feedback from these sessions, he said a workshop was held in March to review suggestions and address stakeholder concerns.
“The Home Minister subsequently directed additional engagement sessions with relevant ministers before submitting the revised memorandum for Cabinet approval.
“These discussions and meetings have been crucial in shaping alternative proposals for the amendments.
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“If the next round of engagements yields positive feedback, the amendments will be tabled in the first session of the fourth term of the 15th Parliament,” he said.
He also reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to ensuring the amendments address constitutional concerns while maintaining the Act’s role in safeguarding national security and public safety.
