Security law seen as lurch toward ‘dictatorship’

New bill allows arrests without warrants

KUALA LUMPUR: Critics have hit out against a new Malaysian security law granting unprecedented emergency powers to the government, which they say is aimed at quashing challenges to the scandal-tainted Premier Najib Razak and is propelling the country toward dictatorship.

Malaysia’s parliament passed t he National Security Council Bill late on Thursday — the final day of the chamber’s 2015 sitting — just two days after it was tabled, spurring opposition accusations that it was rammed through to thwart scrutiny and debate.

It gives a council, headed by the prime minister, authority to declare emergency powers to address security threats, arrest people without warrants and otherwise curb basic constitutional freedoms without judicial oversight, critics say.

The legislation struck a nerve in Malaysia, where Mr Najib’s government already has been accused of eroding civil liberties and democratic rights as it digs in following electoral setbacks and a damaging scandal.

It comes as Mr Najib’s ruling party prepares for its annual meeting next week, the first such gathering since the explosive allegation in July that the premier received nearly US$700 million in stillunexplained payments.

“The National Security Council bill is nothing but a brazen attempt at silencing all criticism of the Najib administration, particularly Najib himself,” said Azmin Ali, a top opposition leader.

“This law will take us only to one path, and that is the path to dictatorship.”

The opposition and other critics complain of escalating pressure by authorities — including dozens of arrests for sedition and other charges — since a 2013 election setback for the long-ruling coalition dominated by Najib’s United Malays National Organisation.

Speculation is rising that the financial scandal could be the final straw that dumps the coalition from power after nearly six decades, and that the government is manoeuvring to prevent that by any means. The next elections are due by 2018. Introducing the bill earlier this week, government officials denied it was an unconstitutional “power grab”, saying it was needed to protect national security.

But Malaysian Bar Council President Steven Thiru said all fundamental civil rights in regards to “arrest, search and seizure of property can be ignored or suspended”, under the law.

“This is a grave infringement of the federal constitution,” he said.

Human Rights Watch on Thursday called it “truly frightening.”

Critics say Malaysia already has an ample array of tough security laws.