The proposed amendments to the Prevention of Crime Act 1959

PRESS STATEMENT by SIVARASA RASIAH, Member of Parliament for Subang on the proposed amendments to the Prevention of Crime Act 1959

The amendments proposed by the BN Government to the Prevention of Crime Act 1959 are intended to create powers of detention without trial similar to that which previously existed in laws like the Internal Security Act 1960 ( ISA ) and the Emergency ( Public Order and Crime Prevention) Ordinance 1960 ( EO).

These laws were proudly proclaimed repealed in 2011 by Prime Minister Najib in an attempt to shore up his democratic credentials. However the immediate introduction of the new Security Offences ( Special Measures ) Act  or SOSMA replete with oppressive features quickly dented that attempt.  Now the claims to any democratic credentials go up completely in smoke with the wholesale reintroduction of detention without trial with these amendments.

The new amendments invoke the draconian Article 149 of the Federal Constitution and reintroduce 2 year periods of detention which are renewable with any meaningful judicial review excluded.  The main difference now is that the decision to detain for 2 years is made by a board chaired by a judge and not the Minister. Apart from this, the process is fundamentally the same. It is draconian and unacceptable.

We note that MCA and Gerakan leaders have voiced opposition to these amendments. We wait to see if they will vote against this Bill when presented tomorrow.

A question also arises whether the Attorney-General has consistently misled the public with his recent statements that he is opposed to a reintroduction of detention without trial. He cannot plead ignorance of these Bills which the BN government will introduce next week; after all, they are drafted under his supervision. One wonders why the AG as recently as a few weeks ago on 24.8.2013 in a forum organized by the Home Ministry had said that there was no need today for such laws and that the police had been able to deal with violent criminals such as Botak Chin without recourse to such laws.

Equally relevant is the question whether the Minister responsible for legal affairs in the Prime Minister's Department, Nancy Shukri, was similarly misleading the Bar Council when she said at a meeting with them on 18.9.2013 as follows:  ( I quote from the Bar Council website) 

"There are some rumours (or perhaps I shall say as hearsay) that the Government is planning to re-introduce laws that are similar to the EO. These are all out-dated matters that the public should not be discussing anymore as we are no more going back to laws which are obsolescent to our society and needs."

She then added as follows:
 " At this juncture too, let me stress that the Government is concern with the rise in violent crimes and organised crimes in the country. Recently, we see more notorious crimes happening. In times of economic challenges, we are drawn backwards by these ferocious crimes. Please be assured that the Government is committed to address this issue. The general safety of public and the image of the country are of utmost priority to the Government. The Government is aware of the negative implications associated with these brutal-organised crimes. The Government however is not recommending new legislations to deal with these crimes. The Government will not be enacting new laws. If there is anything that the Government would be doing, is just amending some of the provisions in the existing laws. The Government believes these criminals can be tried and punished under the existing criminal legislations in the country."

So, the clear impression is given of just "amending some provisions" and using "existing criminal legislation". 

However, the far-reaching amendments, whilst technically not being "new legislation", are clearly contradictory to the impression given.
The Home Ministry had notice from 16 September 2011 that the EO would be repealed.
They had about 6 - 9 months do deal with the existing detainees. Why were those detainees held in Simpang Rengam and other detention centres then not investigated thoroughly and charged in court within that period before release? Those charged in court for violent crimes could also be denied bail pending their trials to ensure they were not continuing their criminal activities.
Why then only in mid 2013 through the so-called Ops Cantas is the Prevention of Crime Act 1959 suddenly being invoked a year after these detainees have been released? Why did the Government wait until 2013 to suddenly start talking about increased violent crime purportedly due to the release of detainees resulting from repeal of the EO 2 years prior? 
These facts point to a colossal failure of policing and management of security on the part of the BN government. The Prime Minister, the Home Minister and the IGP need to provide the public an explanation.
Sivarasa Rasiah
Member of Parliament for Subang
Member of Central Leadership Council ( Majlis Pimpinan Pusat ) Parti Keadilan Rakyat

30th September 2013

Soalan-soalan Parlimen daripada YB Sivarasa

Parlimen akan bersidang semula selama dua minggu bermula 23hb September. Berikut adalah soalan-soalan daripada Ahli Parlimen Subang

Soalan Jawab Lisan

1. Tuan R. Sivarasa [Subang] meminta Perdana Menteri  menyatakan  berapa peratus ( dan jumlah barrel ) minyak mentah ( crude oil ) yang dikeluarkan di Malaysia oleh PETRONAS dan syarikat-syarikat lain ditapis ( refined ) di Malaysia dan untuk yang ditapis diluar Negara, peratusannya dan tempat-tempat penapisan.

2. Tuan R.Sivarasa [ Subang ] meminta Menteri Dalam Negeri  menyatakan sebab tidak meluluskan cadangan pembentukan polis bantuan di negeri Selangor bagi membanteras jenayah yang semakin berleluasa, sedangkan bilangan anggota polis yang ditugaskan tidak cukup untuk memantau jenayah untuk menjamin keselamatan rakyat.

3. Tuan R.Sivarasa [ Subang] meminta Perdana Menteri menyatakan jumlah belanja untuk Talentcorp  dari penubuhannya dan berapa warga Malaysia Talentcorp telah berjaya  membawa balek daripada luar Negara sehingga sekarang.

4. Tuan R.Sivarasa [ Subang ] meminta Perdana Menteri menyatakan jumlah yuran yang telah dibayar oleh PEMANDU kepada syarikat perunding McKinsey daripada penubuhan PEMANDU hingga sekarang ( termasuk pecahan bayaran mengikut tahun )

5. Tuan R.Sivarasa [Subang] meminta Menteri Luar Negeri menyatakan langkah-langkah yang diambil oleh pihak kerajaan dan perkembangan terkini mengenai proses pengesahan (accession) Statute Rome Mahkamah Jenayah Antarabangsa (Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court). 

6. Tuan R.Sivarasa [ Subang ] meminta Menteri Dalam Negeri menyatakan kenapa blogger bergelaran “Papagomo” atau  Wan Muhammad yang ditangkap pada 7hb Mei 2013 tidak didakwa sebab menghasut kebencian dan keganasan dengan penulisan beliau yang terang-terang menghasut kebenchian dan keganasan atas kaum lain dan juga individu-individu.

7. Tuan R.Sivarasa [ Subang ] meminta Menteri Pendidikan menyatakan sama ada kerajaan akan meningkatkan peruntukan  kepada Perbadanan Tabung Pembangunan Kemahiran (PTPK) supaya mewujudkan 1.32 juta peluang pekerjaan di sektor teknikal dan vokasional menjelang tahun 2020. Peruntukan bagi PTPK dikatakan tidak seimbang jika dibanding dengan Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN) yang diberi sebanyak RM5billion setahun.

8. Tuan R.Sivarasa [Subang] meminta Perdana Menteri menyatakan samada kerajaan setuju tidak menghadiri persidangan ketua-ketua negara Komanwel ( CHOGM) di Colombo tahun ini sebagai tanda bantahan kerajaan terhadap jenayah perang ( war crimes ) yang dilakukan di May 2009 oleh President Rajapakse dan tentera Sri Lanka bila membunuh 50,000-100,000 orang Tamil bukan tentera yang tidak bersenjata;  dan juga senaraikan Rajapakse sebagai seorang penjenayah perang.

9. Tuan R.Sivarasa [Subang] meminta Menteri Industri dan Perdagangan Antarabangsa  menyatakan samada kerajaan sanggup, dalam rundingan Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), mendesak “carve-out “ atau pembatalan secara menyeluruh semua peruntukkan-peruntukkan yang akan menghalang pembuatan perubatan generic yang akan mengakibatkan pengingkatan kos ubat di dalam negara.

10. Tuan R.Sivarasa [Subang] meminta Menteri Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan menyatakan kenapa kerajaan masih membiarkan pemaju-pemaju melaksanakan skim-skim  DIBS ( Developer Interest Bearing Scheme ) yang telah diharamkan di Singapore di 2009 meskipun skim-skim tersebut membawa akibat peningkatan harga hartanah di pasaran.

Soalan Jawab Bertulis
11. Tuan R.Sivarasa [Subang] meminta Menteri Pendidikan menyatakan jumlah mahasiswa yang diterima masuk dalam semua IPTA untuk tahun 2010, 2011 dan 2012 menurut pecahan kaum, dan juga jumlah yang diterima masuk untuk fakulti-fakulti  undang-undang, kejuruteraan, perubatan, dan pergigian meenurut pecahan kaum.

12. Tuan R. Sivarasa [ Subang] meminta Menteri Pendidikan  menyatakan jumlah penuntut yang diterimamasuk dalam semua maktab-maktab perguruan untuk tahun 2010, 2011 dan 2012 menurut pecahan kaum.

13. Tuan R.Sivarasa [ Subang] meminta Menteri Pendidikan menyatakan senarai nama, no KP, alamat, jantina dan gred yang  didapati oleh 1500 penuntut dalam katergori India yang dikatakan telah menerima 1500 tempat-tempat matriculasi.

14. Tuan R.Sivarasa [ Subang] meminta Menteri Dalam Negeri menyatakan jumlah peruntukan untuk empat buah balai polis di Parlimen Subang iaitu Balai-balai Kg Baru S dan Kota Damanasar ( IPD PJ ) dan Sg Plong dan Sg Buluh ( IPD Sg Buloh ) setiap tahun untuk tahun-tahun 2010, 2011 dan 2012.

15. Tuan R.Sivarasa [Subang] meminta Menteri Dalam Negeri menyatakan bilangan warganegara asing dan Malaysia yang dihukum gantung, yang masih menunggu hukuman gantung untuk dilaksanakan dan hukuman gantung yang telah dilaksanakan dari setiap tahun 2007 ke 2013 mengikut pecahan.