[COMPARISON] PCA VS ISA, Same Same Or Different?
Malaysia has officially re-introduced the Prevention of Crime Act (PCA), amidst fears that it is a rehash of the Internal Security Act (ISA), and that it will be manipulated to be used against political opponents. How true are these allegations? We compare the PCA and the ISA here.
By Mei Mei Chu — 04 Oct 2013, 07:00 PM — Updated over 10 years ago
The clocked was stopped when Parliament passed the Prevention of Crime Act (PCA) on 3 October 2013
Prevention of Crime Act (PCA) which was passed by parliament at 12.50am on Thursday after the clock was "stopped" to enable the debates to go on. This is the fourth time in Malaysian history that Parliament had to "stop" the clock to allow lawmakers to debate.
themalaysianinsider.com
New crime-prevention legislation that critics say would allow detention without trial for years was passed by Malaysian lawmakers early on Thursday, and immediately slammed by opposition figures and human-rights activists as a strengthening of Prime Minister Najib Razak’s increasingly authoritarian administration.
time.com
Opposition are strongly against it, fearing that PCA is a rehash of the Internal Security Act (ISA)
“The fear is that the government may use this law against undesirable elements in the political sense rather than the criminal sense,” Kamaruddin Jaafar, an opposition MP.
time.com
Opposition are strongly against it, fearing that PCA is a rehash of the Internal Security Act (ISA)
Image via wp.comThe amendments include detention without trial, restrictions on judial reviews, secrecy provisions and recital of Article 149 in the preamble, which the opposition claims is inconsistent with basic human rights guaranteed in the Federal Constitution.
themalaysianinsider.com
"Although the government may argue the amendments will only target organised crime, it is almost certain from the government’s appalling track record on the use of oppressive laws like the ISA, Sedition Act and Peaceful Assembly Act – the PCA will be misused against opposition politicians, dissidents and civil society activists," Paulsen said in a statement last night.
themalaysianinsider.com
The ruling party gave their promise that it will not be manipulated to be used against political opponents
Home Ministry Ahmad Zahid said this was part of Putrajaya's transformation programme whereby power is transferred from the minister to the board.
themalaysianinsider.com
Najib said a key difference is that while the ISA vested large authority in the Home Minister and police to make arrests without due court process, under the amended Act, a judge will make the decision.
"The government is guaranteeing that it will not be manipulated to be used against political opponents," he added.
themalaysianinsider.com
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