New Straits Times
by Farrah Naz Karim
by Farrah Naz Karim
Detention period may be cut, public gatherings to be allowed without police permit.
PUTRAJAYA: Amendments to the acts under the purview of the Home Ministry, which will be tabled at the October meeting of Parliament, may see the government allowing public gatherings, including those for political purposes, without a police permit.
It may also see the shortening of the detention period under the Internal Security Act.
This was announced by Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein here yesterday after a committee meeting to review several acts under his purview.
Hishammuddin had several months ago promised to review acts under the purview of his ministry that were deemed "archaic".
He said Section 27 of the Police Act would be reviewed to "recognise the right of the public to gather peacefully". However, such public gatherings are to be held at specific places, which will soon be gazetted.
"We have been hearing a lot of debate on the issuance of permits to gather. Thus far, the police had allowed gatherings that do not pose threats.
"So, we might as well allow for it this away, although it is to be held at suitable areas. At the end of the day, it is all about national security and stability," he said.
The meeting was also attended by Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Rais Yatim, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, Attorney-General Tan Sri Gani Patail and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan.
The three-hour meeting also mulled over possible changes to the ISA. Currently, under the ISA, anyone can be detained by the police for up to 60 days without trial.
Following that, the home minister can authorise detention for another two years without trial.
Hishammuddin reiterated that the government had no intention of abolishing the act but would incorporate into it an effective system of checks and balances.
He said the government was also aiming to remove the false perception that the ISA had been used as a political tool.
"Today's landscape is about perception. People tend to buy into lies spread by some quarters. The whole idea is to make these acts more relevant to the present time and ensure transparency, so that there is no room for accusations of its abuse.
"But I must stress that when it comes to national interest, there will be no compromise," he said.
Changes to the laws could be expected in December.
Hishammuddin said in the next two weeks, stakeholders to the laws will be engaged in sessions on the pending amendments.
Other acts that are likely to be amended are the Multimedia and Communications Act, the Restrictive Residence Ordinance and Public Security Act.
On efforts to curb lies and sedition in cyberspace, especially on religion, race and the monarchy, Hishammuddin said the meeting deliberated on ways to increase cooperation between the authorities, including the Multimedia Commission and the police.
The government, he reiterated, was not in the business of filtering and censoring the Internet but would go all out to ensure that the security and stability of the country were protected.
He said Section 27 of the Police Act would be reviewed to "recognise the right of the public to gather peacefully". However, such public gatherings are to be held at specific places, which will soon be gazetted.
"We have been hearing a lot of debate on the issuance of permits to gather. Thus far, the police had allowed gatherings that do not pose threats.
"So, we might as well allow for it this away, although it is to be held at suitable areas. At the end of the day, it is all about national security and stability," he said.
The meeting was also attended by Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Rais Yatim, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, Attorney-General Tan Sri Gani Patail and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan.
The three-hour meeting also mulled over possible changes to the ISA. Currently, under the ISA, anyone can be detained by the police for up to 60 days without trial.
Following that, the home minister can authorise detention for another two years without trial.
Hishammuddin reiterated that the government had no intention of abolishing the act but would incorporate into it an effective system of checks and balances.
He said the government was also aiming to remove the false perception that the ISA had been used as a political tool.
"Today's landscape is about perception. People tend to buy into lies spread by some quarters. The whole idea is to make these acts more relevant to the present time and ensure transparency, so that there is no room for accusations of its abuse.
"But I must stress that when it comes to national interest, there will be no compromise," he said.
Changes to the laws could be expected in December.
Hishammuddin said in the next two weeks, stakeholders to the laws will be engaged in sessions on the pending amendments.
Other acts that are likely to be amended are the Multimedia and Communications Act, the Restrictive Residence Ordinance and Public Security Act.
On efforts to curb lies and sedition in cyberspace, especially on religion, race and the monarchy, Hishammuddin said the meeting deliberated on ways to increase cooperation between the authorities, including the Multimedia Commission and the police.
The government, he reiterated, was not in the business of filtering and censoring the Internet but would go all out to ensure that the security and stability of the country were protected.
No comments:
Post a Comment