Laws are put in place to deter criminal acts, as it cannot prevent any criminal activity from happening. It is human nature to fear punishment, hence, laws are mostly effective on any given time.

Laws are only broken when, or due to:

  1. Unusual circumstances or accidental, not by choice;
  2. Greed; and
  3. Abuse of power.

These are just a few examples that can lead to someone breaking the law, but we are not talking about them here.

Today, we have the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) to thwart security issues -both internal and external - including public order, acts of terrorism, sabotage and espionage.

Soon the National Security Council (NSC) Bill will be put into effect, when it is not to fight against anything, but to give absolute power and complete authority to one man to decide upon the nation’s security.

What is the real purpose for introducing the NSC? Many are puzzled and frightened after reading what it entails.

The only argument needed now in support of it, would be by pointing towards the Islamic State’s (IS) worldwide attacks.

The police have been doing a great job of arresting many suspected terrorists, and can even identify locations of intended targets without the NSC.

So far, I have yet to read from anyone an explanation on how the NSC could prevent a bomb from exploding. It is more likely to be useful only after the bomb had exploded, and any small spark today will allow the use of the NSC - hence, you can see the implication if it is abused.

Terrorists - be it IS, Al-Qaeda, or any other group - are fearless sub-humans unafraid of death. Their plans are to attack and kill as many innocents along with them. So, do you think they are bothered with all the laws in any nation which they are going to attack? For such a situation, there is no law that can deter, nor prevent any attack from happening.

Like an RCI, but on a larger scale

We do not need this type of NSC, but a Nation Saviour Committee (N-S-C).

Although the nation, like many others, has been facing the same terrorist threats, it is more important how the authorities would fully utilise the existing laws to combat any kind of criminal acts or threats.

The function of the N-S-C would be to basically save the nation from disasters - be it natural, political, or even terrorism.

This N-S-C is more or less like a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) - not on a specific matter, but on a larger nationwide scale.

Committee members selected from the public sphere - comprising professionals of various fields - will be politically free and fully independent.

This is a very big subject to go into, but I will briefly summarise the three basic components and functions as follows.

  • Coordinate: The N-S-C will ensure that all government agencies - from the PM’s Department and all the ministries, down to the police force - are well-coordinated to face any kind of disaster and ensure that all statements issued to the public are consistent and truthful.
  • Monitor: The N-S-C has to monitor how the government is running the nation, as well as those who took the oath to serve having carried out their duties diligently.
  • Action: The N-S-C would have the power to order the forming of a RCI on serious mismanagement/corruption/criminal activities or disasters, with the final report being presented to the Agong for his consent before the prosecution of any individual or group.

The N-S-C is opened to the public with FOI. Once any report is returned with the Agong consent it will be placed in the public domain including government contract in GLC etc, no government public related document should be under the OSA except those that are truly of national security threat like the arm forces.

Concerning the often-asked questions: who polices the police, who judges the judge, and lately, what to do with an out-of-control PM with absolute power? The N-S-C would be the answer.

The N-S-C idea is still sketchy and rough, it just needs upcoming lawmakers, lawyers, and professionals to polish it, should they think it is worthy.