The government has defended its proposal to impose new anti-terror legislation - under which lawyers and accountants could face the death penalty - on the basis that many such activities are hidden behind legitimate organisations.

"Terrorists are now covering up the flow of funds by hiding behind legitimate welfare, social and culture organisations," said Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department M Kayveas.

He said this when tabling the second reading of amendments to the Penal Code at the Dewan Rakyat this afternoon.

"These organisations also used by terrorists to collect money through public contributions without unveiling the real motive of the fund," he said.

For this reason, he said it was crucial for the government to trace, freeze and seize any form of funds which are "believed used to sponsor terrorism activities".

He pointed out that it is now a global trend to enact harsher laws to penalise terrorism-linked activities.

He added that Malaysia also intends to accede to international conventions on suppressing the financing of terrorism and the 1999 treaty against hostage-taking.

"Domestic laws will therefore have to be amended in order to make terrorism an offence with a suitable punishment," Kayveas said.

Main proposals

The proposed amendments aim to punish not only terrorists but those who provide them with services or facilities, including lawyers and accountants.

If terrorist acts result in death, then lawyers and accountants who have helped the perpetrators are liable to the death penalty. Those who escape execution could face a jail term ranging between seven and 30 years.

The proposals also provide for tough sentences - including life imprisonment - on anyone who harbours or interferes with the arrest of terrorists, recruits members into a terrorist group or provides them with explosives or facilities such as meeting places.

The amendments also cover stiffer punishments for incestuous rape. Among other provisions, the death penalty will be imposed if a rape causes the death of the victim.

Debate on the bill will continue tomorrow.

When the bill was tabled for first reading on Sept 9, parliamentarians said it failed to adequately define 'terrorist act' from other crimes.

The current sitting has already passed the first reading of other two terrorism-related bills , namely the Anti-Money Laundering Bill and amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code.

'No mood'

Meanwhile two bills to amend the Election Offences Act 1954 and Elections Act 1958 were passed in the Dewan Rakyat.

Oppositions parliamentarians were irked by Kayveas - who was on duty to wind up the two debates - because the latter repeatedly refused to give way for them to seek clarification in the passing of these bills.

Instead of replying to the questions, he teased them. At one juncture, he said: "I have no mood to answer your question."

Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah) protested and suggested that the Speaker should advise Kayveas to reply the question in a "respectful manner".

However, Speaker Dr Mohamed Zahir Ismail said "this is his way of speaking".

Kerk Kim Hock (DAP-Kota Melaka) walked out after failing to raise his queries several times.