NSC Bill can't stop elections, says Shahidan Kassim

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PARLIAMENT Elections cannot be suspended under the National Security Council (NSC) Bill, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Shahidan Kassim said.

"The declaration (of a security zone) will not stop elections from being held in that zone.

"It will also not affect efforts by political parties to campaign for any election," Shahidan said in a written reply to Parliamentary yesterday.

He was responding to a question on whether elections can be held if a security zone is declared under the NSC Bill.

Shahidan said a security zone is not the same as an emergency proclamation, and is only meant to enable security forces to deal with security threats.

As such, he said daily activities in such zones will not be disturbed.

Under the NSC Bill, the prime minister can declare any area a security zone.

Critics say this gives the prime minister emergency powers, as security forces are allowed to arrest people and seize or destroy property, based on their own discretion.

The bill has been passed by the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara.

However the Conference of Rulers has sent it back to the Attorney-General's Chambers for a review.



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