Zahid slammed for not consulting Pakatan on anti-terror bill

DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang today aired his scathing views of the home minister in relation to the anti-terrorism bill tabled in Parliament recently. – The Malaysian Insider filepic, April 5, 2015.

DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang today told Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi off for failing to consult Pakatan Rakyat (PR) and civil society on anti-terrorism legislation such as the recently tabled Prevention of Terrorism Bill 2015 (Pota).

The Gelang Patah MP said that just because PR was also “opposed to Isis and Islamic extremism”, it did not mean the home minister had a blank cheque to enact such laws without proper consultation with the opposition and civil society.

The veteran DAP leader added that he was disturbed by Zahid’s complacency and cavalier attitude reflected in his statement that he was confident the opposition would back Pota and those who reject the bill would likely be activists and human rights lawyers.

"Up to now, Zahid has never bothered to consult with Pakatan Rakyat MPs and civil society or seek their views on adequate safeguard against abuses in finalising the anti-terrorism bill.

"Zahid should realise that Barisan Nasional (BN) has no monopoly on patriotism," he said today.

Lim also reminded BN that it was a minority government with only 47% support from the electorate, so the federal government was beholden to the opposition and civil society to fully consult them before tabling the controversial legislation in Parliament.

Pota has been criticised by groups such as the Malaysian Bar as a repressive legislation, likened to the repealed Internal Security Act (ISA).

Lim said the government should not dismiss concerns that such laws could violate human rights and civil liberties completely unrelated to terrorist activities.

The revival of ISA powers of indefinite detention without trial, allowing a two-year detention which is renewable indefinitely, he said, was the most abhorrent and abominable provision in Pota when there were no provisions against abuse.

"The home minister must allow for a more consultative process with PR MPs as well as the civil society before the spate of anti-terrorism bills are enacted to become laws of the land."

Lim also said Zahid should refer the anti-terrorism bill to a Parliamentary Select Committee, which could make a more detailed study of the proposed bill, and make recommendations for the next parliamentary meeting beginning May 18.

He also said MPs were entitled to a full report from the police counter-terrorism division whether it is fighting a winning or losing war against Isis influence in Malaysia.

"Why has the police counter-terrorism unit failed to give regular updates to all MPs on the success or failures of its work?

"Despite assurances by Zahid that the threat of Isis and Islamic extremism in Malaysia are being kept under check, recent reports seem to indicate the contrary, with their influences now extending to various levels of society, including the civil service."

Lim said the fight against terrorism could not be won by just enacting anti-terrorism laws if the root causes of radicalisation and recruitment of youths into terrorist activities were not addressed.

This, he said, should also be a special subject of debate and study by the Parliamentary Select Committee on terrorism.

- TMI