MORATORIUM ON SECURITY LAWS LIFTED TO ALLOW COPS TO DEAL WITH TEMPLE RIOTS
Muhyiddin says they can be used by police to handle temple riot cases
THE cabinet has agreed to allow police to use certain acts that are under review to handle last week’s riot cases at the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in USJ 25 here.
Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the cabinet at its meeting on Friday decided to withdraw the moratorium on the Prevention of Crime Act (Amendment) (POCA) 2017, Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) 2015, Sedition Act 1948 and Security Offences Special Measures Act (Sosma) 2012.
“There is a moratorium on these acts, but in the current situation, considering what happened at the temple, they can be used by police even though they are being re-evaluated,” he said after meeting police personnel on duty around the temple yesterday.
Muhyiddin also met the temple’s management to discuss the crisis.
Present was Deputy InspectorGeneral of Police Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim.
Muhyiddin said the measure would give full authority to the police to look after peace and public security.
The riots which took place last Monday and Tuesday following squabbles over the temple’s relocation had resulted in serious injuries to firefighter Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim, 24, who is being treated at the National Heart Institute.
The incident also resulted in injuries to a policeman, six civilians, as well as the the destruction of several vehicles and damaged a commercial premises.