KUALA LUMPUR: The National Security Bill (NSC) has been passed by the Dewan Rakyat which allows the Prime Minister to declare a “security area” in the event of threats to national security.

The Bill was passed after heated debate on the last day of the Dewan Rakyat sitting Thursday night.

Opposition lawmakers tried to stop the Bill form being passed and called for a bloc vote.

However, the Bill was passed in the second reading with 106 votes in support and 74 votes against. It was passed at the final third reading by a majority voice vote.

Earlier, in his reply, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim chided the Opposition for claiming the law was a "power grab" that would give the Prime Minister absolute powers to declare an "emergency".

"It is not laws to declare an emergency but a security area," he said, adding that the laws differs from the powers of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong who can declare an emergency.

He stressed the aim of the laws is to better coordinate and uniform response in the event of a security threat.

He cited the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esscom) where the police, maritime enforcement agency and armed forces had operated under separate laws.

"The police and marine have powers to arrests but the army does not," he said.

He also said the new law would not prevent a magistrate’s court to hold an inquest into deaths occurring in a declared security area.

He assured lawmakers that the law does not contravene the principles of the Constitution.

The Dewan adjourned sine die after 25 days of debate beginning Oct 19.





