While the government claims that the controversial Prevention of Crime Act 2013 (Poca) has reduced crime rates, Lawyers for Liberty executive director Eric Paulsen says the government does not need such 'shortcuts' if police resources weren't wasted on political offences.

“ If the authorities were to re-prioritise resources currently being wasted for political offences like sedition and peaceful assemblies, I'm sure they can do much better in tackling serious and organised crimes instead of resorting to shortcut methods like preventive detention,” he told Malaysiakini when contacted yesterday.