COMMENT The Dewan Negara is scheduled to debate the proposed National Security Council Bill 2015 (NSC Bill) on Monday, Dec 21, 2015. It was hurriedly passed by the Dewan Rakyat on Dec 11, 2015.

We already have a National Security Council, known in Bahasa Malaysia as the Majlis Keselamatan Negara (MKN). On Feb 23, 1971, the cabinet agreed to establish the MKN. It was formally constituted on July 7, 1971. In the document 83/750/71 of the Cabinet meeting of July 31, 1971, the role of the MKN was summarised as follows:

“Since the future racial peace in this country depends on how well the government handles the sensitive issues, it is suggested that the NSC shall be the body to look into the matter.”