Penang-based social reform movement Aliran has condemned the passing of amendments to the 1959 Prevention of Crime Act (PCA), saying its new form will effectively open the floodgates to abuse by certain authorities.

At a press conference today, the Aliran executive committee said the PCA may be abused by law enforcement agencies and allow the gross abuse of basic civil liberties of a person.

NONE "What is the agenda behind this?" asked Aliran spokesperson Prema Devaraj ( left ).

Prema said Aliran wants a moratorium on the implementation of the PCA and she called on every individual to get involved in the fight for basic human rights and for civil society to come together to work against preventive detention.

She said the passing of the Bill was a "mockery" of the progressive image Malaysia was trying to promote.

The government has seen fit to push through the "undemocratic" amendments despite continued opposition from civil society.

"(This comes) at a time when Prime Minister Najib Razak has been addressing the world community in the United Nations, trying to convince them on his Global Movement of Moderates," Prema said.

"When Malaysia is sitting in the UN Human Rights Council, trying to earn a place in the Security Council, it makes no sense to introduce such draconian and undemocratic amendments," she added.

'Government's rationale totally unacceptable'

Aliran said this in response to the passing of the controversial PCA amendments by Parliament to provide the authorities wider powers to detain suspects without trial for up to two years and extend this by another two years.

The clock in Parliament was put to a halt at midnight to allow the session on the amendment Bill to continue, which civil society has described as "bulldozing the Bill through" and to deny any opposition suggestions on changes.

Civil society has expressed fear that the law, very much like the previous Internal Security Act, would be used to detain political dissidents without trial, even though Najib has denied that this was the aim.

NONE Prema said while concerns over crime are recognised, the government's rationale of eradicating the problem through the PCA amendments was "totally unacceptable'.

She also noted that calls for the reform of the law enforcement agencies, for better policing and for more resources and professionalism in criminal investigation have been ignored.

Aliran's secretary Mustafa K Annuar ( left ) pointed out that the media has been highlighting crime issues diligently, but there was a need to probe the causes behind the criminal acts.

"It's not enough just to report that crime took place or there is an increase. What are the underlying causes that lead to crime?" Mustafa said.

"The way the media has been reporting incidents of increasing crime may create public panic and lead to people agreeing to harsher laws.

"But harsher laws will not necessarily solve the problem," he added.

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