For Immediate Release
Media Statement
It has been reported that the BN government is to propose a Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) in the coming Parliamentary session which includes the return of detention without trial – seen as a reincarnation of the Internal Security Act (ISA)
The purpose of POTA is to prevent the possibility and potential acts of terrorism based on the minimum burden of evidence which would include enhanced electronic surveillance of suspects.
The main reason for the Act according to the Home Minister, is aimed at anticipating and preventing terror activities and acting against IS members from Malaysia and other nations who come to this country.
The Home Minister said POTA would strengthen existing laws such as the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA) and the Prevention of Crime Act (POCA).
The use of a lower threshold of evidence to detain and not charge a suspect through rigorous investigations under POTA, would only lead to lazy policing and weak prosecuting. Suspects should be charged following rigorous investigations which will lead to successful prosecutions.
The POTA’s doors are wide open to abuse and misuse; similar to the ISA, which was initially assured to be used only against Communist Terrorists – only to become a state instrument for political persecution.
The Malaysian government is no stranger to using these draconian laws for political persecution. In the past, Malaysia has seen political opponents of the Government at the time detained under ISA, including Lim Kit Siang, Karpal Singh, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Dr Syed Husin Ali, YB Khalid Samad,YB Teresa Kok, and many more – all have been victims of political persecution under this Act.
As such, I vehemently oppose the introduction of the clause that allows detention without trial that is contained this bill, as it contravenes the basic principles of justice, where every single person has the right to be heard and defended in the court of law should he be accused of any crime.
However, if the intent is to prevent and eliminate both militancy, extremism and terrorism of the IS type as a threat to national security, then it is proposed to widen the scope of “National Security” threat to include corruption and economic terrorism to the bill.
And by applying similar threshold of evidence and extensive use of economic surveillance; it would be even easier to identify suspects as the display of ostentatious luxurious lifestyle domestically including overseas purchases of super expensive properties, jewellery and other visible evidence of living beyond one’s means – would prevent and eliminate illicit outflow of funds, weakening of the ringgit, leakages, increasing public debt and the perennial deficit spending – by all estimation poses a greater and more damaging act of terrorism to our nation.
Witnessing the enthusiasm of the government in wanting to enact POTA then I am sure that the government would fully support, with equal fervour and great sense of urgency the aim to eliminate all threats to our Nation’s Security including the very real and not imagined threat of corruption and economic terrorism.
If the government ignores and excludes corruption and economic terrorism to POTA, then we will immediately propose a bi-partisan submission of a Prevention of Corruption and Economic Terrorism Act (POCETA) in Parliament.
NURUL IZZAH ANWAR
Member of Parliament Lembah Pantai
Vice President Parti KEADILAN Rakyat
