Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has slammed critics of the Prevention of Crime Act (Poca), calling them supporters of criminals.

Zahid said these critics often masqueraded as human rights defenders.

"They defend crime syndicates. They are wolves in sheep's clothing.

"They claim to defend human rights, but in court, they defend criminals accused by the authorities," Zahid said in Putrajaya today.

He was speaking at the launch of a book on Poca that he authored.

Poca has been criticised as a draconian law as it allows for detention without trial.

However, Zahid cited a quote by former British prime minister Tony Blair, who said that to beat growingly sophisticated criminals, one needs "draconian powers that can be wielded administratively and with instant effect."

He also said that Poca was necessary as the release of dangerous criminals when the government repealed the Emergency Ordinance (EO) had led to a rise in violent crime.

"What choice did I have, because my priority is the people and their safety," Zahid said.

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