Amendments only targeting criminals, says Ahmad Zahid

PUTRAJAYA: The proposed amendments to the Prevention of Crime Act (PCA) is not targeted at anyone with different political views, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“The government has no intention to make any group as the target except the criminals,” he said.

Those who do not know the proposals in detail should stop spinning the matter to gain political advantage.

Ahmad Zahid said the proposed amendments were to deal with crime.

“That is all the intention ... to eradicate crime,” he told newsmen after receiving a courtesy call from Indonesian Manpower and Transmigration Minister Drs Muhaimin Iskandar yesterday.

Ahmad Zahid said the Opposition MPs were wrong to conclude that the proposed amendments were no different from those in the Internal Security Act (ISA), Emergency Ordinance (EO) and Restricted Residence ACT (RRA).

“Don’t jump to conclusion by making your own interpretations without hearing the full explanation.

“On Monday I will table the proposed amendments for a second reading and explain everything.

“They can voice out their opinions and I will answer from the government perspective,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid added that he would not comment or give opinions on the matter in public before the Bill is tabled for a second reading on Monday.

He also said the Home Ministry was open to any suggestions on the proposed amendments.

The one-day forum on crime prevention is organised by the Institute of Public Security of Malaysia starting at 8am.

Ahmad Zahid also said it was up to the Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia to set the duration for the Bill to be debated.

“We believe its going to be a full day affair,” he said.