PETALING JAYA: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic) has warned the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) not to drag the Yang di-Pertuan Agong into the issue regarding the passing of the National Security Council (NSC) Bill.
He said that the ICJ should understand the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s position with regard to the federal administration.
“Whether they support or oppose the law is their right. However, trying to get His Majesty to step in is not right.
“It’s akin to placing him at par with our legislators in the Parliament.
“The ICJ should study and understand the position of His Majesty and the Malay Rulers before taking such actions,” he said as quoted in justread-whatever.blogspot.my.
Earlier, the ICJ urged the Dewan Negara and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to reject the Bill.
“The ICJ expects the Bill to be passed by the Senate and assented to by the King without thorough deliberations.
“Nevertheless, it still calls on both the Senate and the King to reject the present draft, with a view to returning it to the House to make necessary reforms in line with the rule of law,” it said in a statement yesterday.
The Bill was passed by the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday. It among others, grants the NSC the ability to create “security areas” around Malaysia at its discretion.
In Hutan Melintang yesterday, Ahmad Zahid said those who were dissatisfied with Bill should carefully read its provisions.
He dismissed claims that the Bill gave executive powers to the Prime Minister, and said the powers were actually in the hands of the council.
He cited an example of the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esscom) where the police have powers to arrest but the army does not.
“I hope the parties will not only give negative views but read and look at the Act in a wider perspective.
“We need to look at the safety and interest of the people, and not only look at the human rights aspect.
“Where were they, and their struggles when there were incidences of intrusion and kidnapping, and what about the human rights of the victims?” he told reporters after closing the Road Transport Department’s community programme.
Ahmad Zahid added the new Act would give powers to the relevant enforcement agencies, and not only to the police. He said the Act was not a law to declare an emergency but a security area.
“The Yang di-Pertuan Agong can declare an emergency, while the Home Minister can impose a curfew.
“So the question about taking over the powers the King does not arise with this Act,” he added
On another matter, Ahmad Zahid said 85% of the people were satisfied with the services provided by the government departments and agencies.
However he said there was room for improvement to look into the complaints of those who were not happy with the services.
“Of the 15%, some of them are like a thorn in the flesh, where they will criticise government departments without justification”, he said.
“They criticise for their personal agenda, and not for the benefit of the public at large,” he added.
– The Star
