Show us the draft to replace the Emergency Ordinance if you want our feedback, Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo had told Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

NONE Gobind ( left ) said Zahid should also give an assurance that the "new set of laws" will not have provisions for detention without trial.

“If the minister welcomes ideas and suggestions, he should show the opposition the draft and ensure there will be no such provisions for detention without trial.

“While we are open to suggestions for reform and ideas to improve our criminal justice system, we in the DAP must make it clear from the very outset that we will not support, nor participate, in any discussion involving laws that provide for detention without trial,” Gobind said.

In 2011, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak announced the repeal of the EO, which provides for detention without trial. Following this, thousands of people detained at the various detention camps have been released.

what is eo emergency ordinance 050307 Critics, including the Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu) under the Prime Minister’s Department, claimed the move had resulted in a rise in crime cases, resulting in proposals to introduce new legislation.

Yesterday, Zahidi was reported as saying the first draft of a new set of laws to replace the EO was with the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the minister welcomed new ideas and suggestions from the opposition and non-government organisations to make the laws effective.

Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar also welcomed the move, saying the new legislation should be looked at seriously.

Gobind, who is DAP’s national legal bureau chairperson, emphasised that detention without trial is open to serious abuse and goes against basic human rights.

“Everyone has the right to be heard and this is protected and guaranteed in our federal constitution.

“We are of the view that there is no need for a new set of laws to replace the ordinance as existing laws are sufficient to deal with the situation.

Gobind called for a complete study be done on how improvements could be made at all levels, including better enforcement of current laws, in order to meet the pressing problem of crime in the country.

Yesterday, Gobind claimed that the repeal of the EO two years ago had been hastily done .