Dewan Rakyat approves NSC bill

Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Ismail Mohamed Said announced the passage of the bill based on voice vote.

Earlier, the bill did not have easy passage at the policy stage when block voting had to be called.

However, it went through with 107 "ayes" and 74 "nays".

At the policy stage, it was debated for more than four hours by about 20 MPs starting at 4.30pm, with the majority of the Opposition MPs calling for it to be withdrawn or deferred.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim, when winding up debate at the policy stage, said Malaysia was now faced with various threats, including cyber, maritime, terrorism and transborder crimes, which required efforts to strengthen the mechanisms and systems in formulating security policies.

Shahidan said the legislation was also to facilitate sharing of intelligence and quick response by the security forces on threats that are outside the capability of a single agency.

On claims that the Bill gave the Prime Minister powers to declare a state of emergency with needing the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Shahidan said: "I wish to stress no declaration of state of emergency, but declaring a certain area a security zone because of threats posed to all quarters."

Citing the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) to tackle security threats to Sabah, he said the law aimed to give protection to all citizens when faced with security threats.

Shahidan also stressed that the bill did not contravene the Federal Constitution and claims that it sidelined the Yang di-Pertuan Agong were not true and were politically motivated.

Instead, the government was firmly committed to protecting the institution of the Malay rulers, he said.

According to him, the National Security Council (NSC) which was officially set up in 1971 after the dissolution of the National Operations Council (MAGERAN), only had administrative powers in dealing with crises and disasters.

Shahidan said enforcing the new legislation also did not conflict with the powers of the states because issues of security, defence and foreign affairs came under federal jurisdiction.

"Security threats can happen at any time like what happened in Paris recently," he added.

Among others, the legislation gives the Prime Minister, on the advice of the NSC, to declare a certain area a security zone.