A BN senator from Sarawak has disagreed that the prime minister should be given the power to declare a 'security area' under the National Security Bill 2015 (NSC Bill).

Instead, Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) president Sim Kui Hian wanted the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to be granted the power to make such decisions.

"I call for the words 'prime minister' to be replaced with 'Yang di-Pertuan Agong', who will act on the advice of the National Security Council," he said when debating the NSC Bill at the policy stage at the Senate House today.

"We do not want to create a wrong impression that royal powers as enshrined in Article 150 (of the Federal Constitution in declaring an emergency state) are taken away by the executive.

"Although this relates only to a perception, but in politics, perception is more important than reality," he added.

Sim said the government should draft a bill that includes the element of check and balance to prevent abuse of power in the future.

"The legislation passed in the House is not meant only for the current BN government but also for any government which rules in the future. There should be check and balance. We do not want to regret something we are able to do in our situation," he added.

Sim also called on the government to include the chief ministers of Sabah and Sarawak as members of NSC.

"The absence of representatives from Sarawak and Sabah in NSC is saddening. We feel that the importance of Sarawak and Sabah should be protected in every stage by the federal government," he stressed.

Sim said the bill should be amended to make it a compulsory to seek the approval of the chief ministers of both Sabah and Sarawak if security areas are to be declared in the states.

He also wanted those from the Borneo states to be appointed operating officers if security areas are to be declared in the states.

The controversial NSC Bill was passed in the Dewan Rakyat on Dec 3 while Dewan Negara commenced the policy stage debate today and is expected to seek to pass the bill tomorrow.