The Home Ministry will be holding a meeting with Attorney General's Chambers soon to streamline all aspects of legislation amendments and proposed new bills encompassing five laws, said its secretary-general Mahmood Adam.

NONE He said the discussions would centre on proposed repeals and replacement bills under Clause 3, Article 150 of the Federal Constitution, such as the Internal Security Act 1960 and the Banishment Act of 1959.  

The ministry would also propose an improved security mechanism on assembly in public places based on the provisions under Section 27 of the Police Act 1967, he said in a statement today.  

He said the meeting would also touch on the role of the People's Volunteer Corps (Rela) which was founded on Jan 11, 1972, based on the Emergency Ordinance (Essential Powers) 1964.  

Apart from that, he said, the ministry would also propose to the attorney-general a list of review on detailed provisions of the laws under Article 150 of the Federal Constitution to enable the role of Rela to continue to be relevant and reformulated as an Act of Parliament and to be placed under Article 149 of the Federal Constitution.

New bills at ‘earliest parliamentary session’

Mahmood said the ministry would also obtain the views of the attorney-general on the proposed abolishing of the annual renewal principle of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 and replaced with the issuance of a licence until and unless revoked.

“However, until the studies are completed and due announcements made, all procedures on application and approval of licences and permits will continue as usual,” he said.    

He clarified that the meeting with the attorney-general follows Home Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein’s statement yesterday that the new bills would have to be tabled at the earliest parliamentary session after a comprehensive study and views of all parties were considered.  

On Thursday, Prime Minister Najib Razak in his Malaysia Day Message in conjunction with the 2011 National Day celebration announced the repeal of the Internal Security Act (ISA) 1960 and the Banishment Act 1959 as well as the review of the Restricted Residence Act 1933, Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 and Section 27 of the Police Act 1967 by taking into consideration the provisions under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution.

Mahmood said in the discussion, the ministry would assist the attorney-general in refining all aspects to ensure the proposals were complete and comprehensive before being tabled in the Dewan Rakyat and the Senate.

“However, the decision on when they will be tabled in Parliament will depend on the results of the discussion between the Home Ministry and the attorney-general and the government,” he said.

Media self-regulation

On the issue of the media working with the government for a more transparent and open policy on press freedom, he said the Home Ministry would continue with various proactive measures to support the healthy development of the media in the country.

He said among them was the initiative to set up a special committee among leading media practitioners last Thursday which could function as a responsible body to self-regulate the direction of the media.

In another development, Mahmood said the various measures taken by the Home Ministry to fight threats to national security would continue to be strengthened in line with the transformation of politics implemented by the government.

This included continuing with the 6P amnesty programme for illegal foreign workers which began on Aug 1 2011 and expected to be completed by early 2012.  

Apart from that, he said, the ministry was also taking steps on the various commitments and agreements with its strategic international partners to fight cross-border crimes including Saudi Arabia, Australia, United Kingdom and China.

Mahmood said among these was the ministry's commitment to set up a Malaysian Cross-Border Crime Academy which would function as a centre for regional cooperation and international criminal issues.  

- Bernama