MP SPEAKS Today, there will be a huge battle taking place in Parliament when BN seeks to introduce a new draconian bill, the National Security Council Bill 2015 and have it passed to make it law in the country.

It seems that the BN's passion and desire for draconian laws knows no bounds. In spite of the existence of a myriad of repressive legislations at its disposal, BN is still hungry for more power in order to instil greater fear among more people, especially the concerned citizens.

Currently, we have abominable laws such as the Prevention of Crime Act, Prevention of Terrorism Act, Security Offences (Special Measures) Act and so on, which disrespect our fundamental human rights as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

With such laws, our basic rights embodied in the supreme law of the land have become ineffective and illusory. Needless to say, our liberty and freedom are at the mercy of the ruling coalition party.

One tends to believe that with the existence of such horrfying laws, the BN will not go back to Parliament asking for more power to curb our freedom and restrict our legitimate rights.

Every power to intimidate the people

We are definitely wrong. In fact, BN will never stop hunting for more and more power. Indeed, power is delicious and absolute power is absolutely delicious.

The new National Security Council Bill is basically intended to give more power to the prime minister, being the chairman of the National Security Council. For instance, the prime minister alone posesses the sole power to declare any place as a security area.

When a place is demarcated as a security area, there will be more power flowing from such a place. It endorses the authority to flex its muscle so much more, since it has every power to intimidate the people therein.

These powers include arresting people without any warrant, to arbitrarily evacuate any person, to restrict the freedom of movement and basically to do anything without any legal hindrance, all in the name of national security.

I dare to say if this bill is passed, there will be a strong likelihood of this country moving towards a police state.

Be that as it may, if the BN Members of Parliament do, at all costs, defend this NSC Bill, the Pakatan MPs, on the other hand, equipped with 52 percent of the popular support, will definitely be fighting tooth and nail against such a horrible bill.

May justice prevail.

MOHAMED HANIPA MAIDIN is the Parti Amanah Negara MP for Sepang.