National Security Council Bill 2015 tabled in Parliament

0
Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim

Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Security Council (MKN) Bill 2015 which was tabled in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday provides 15 special powers to the Operations Director and the security forces to control and coordinate national security operations.

The bill, tabled by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim for first reading, among others, cites that the appointed Operations Director is responsible for operations in a security area.

The security forces comprise the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM); PDRM Volunteer Reserve and Auxiliary Police; Malaysian Armed Forces and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.

The bill provides for special jurisdiction of powers encompassing arrest upon entry (into a security area) and transfer of people; curfews; the power to control movements on roads; authority to catch; the power to inspect and seize; the power to search premises for hazardous substances; power to screen persons for dangerous items and the power to seize a vehicle, vessel, aircraft or transporter.

Also the Operations Director and security forces can take temporary possession of land, buildings or movable property; demand for resources; compensation.

The power to order the destruction of certain unoccupied buildings; the use of reasonable and necessary force; power to set aside an inquest and the surrender of the person arrested and items seized to the police.

In the special powers for curfew, the Operations Director can order everybody in a security area or any part of a security area to remain in their homes or buildings in the time stipulated in the order issued by the Operations Director.

Anybody who flouts the order commits an offence and would, upon conviction, be fined not exceeding RM5,000 or jailed not more than three years or both.

The bill also provides that members of the security forces can arrest anyone suspected of committing an offence under any written law in the security area, without a warrant.

The bill also spells out membership of MKN which comprises the Prime Minister as chairman, Deputy Prime Minister as deputy chairman followed by three ministers entrusted with defence, internal affairs and communication and multimedia.

The other members of MKN are the Chief Secretary to the Goverment, Malaysian Armed Forces chief and the Inspector-General of Police.

The prime minister on the recommendation of the Chief Secretary to the Government will appoint one person from among civil servants to become Director- General of the National Security and another as Deputy Director-General and any number of other officers from among public officials.

It also proposes giving the Prime Minister powers to declare certain areas in the country as security areas.

Also provided for is that any directive, order or decision made by the existing MKN would be in force immediately in line with the act.

Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nancy Shukri also tabled the Legal Profession (Amendment) Bill 2015 for first reading. — Bernama