The Banishment Act 1959 is repealed because it is outdated and no longer practical, according to the Banishment (Repeal) Bill which was distributed in the Dewan Rakyat today.

The move however would not affect any warrant, order, directive or any other instrument, or detention made under the act before the repeal took effect, it said.

The bill does not involve any additional expenditure by the government.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak tabled the motions to repeal the act as well as the Restricted Residence (Repeal) Bill for first reading at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

The move to repeal the two acts was part of a wider reform announced by the prime minister in his National Day and Malaysia Day message on Sept 15.

He had also announced at that time that the Internal Security Act (ISA) would be repealed and replaced with two new acts, which are expected to be tabled at the Dewan Rakyat in March next year prior to repealing the ISA.

The government will also carry out a review of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 and Section 27 of the Police Act 1967.

- Bernama

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