Opposition supports the CPA amendments, claims Zahid

Amendments to the Prevention of Crime Act (PCA), aimed at effective eradication and prevention of crime, have received good response from opposition leaders, noted Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He requested all parties to look at the amendments positively as they were to protect the peace and security of the people by fighting crime which was posing a major problem to the people and country.

"Thanks to non-governmental organisations (NGO) which gave positive opinions, and also thanks to friends in the opposition who are beginning to understand that the amendments to the PCA are meant to protect the people on the whole.

"At the same time, there are still some parties which do not understand the need and importance of the amendments, merely assuming that the amendments were to replace the Internal Security Act (ISA) which was abolished in 2011.

"Several parties have voiced reservations on the amendments to the PCA, despite my statement that it was not a bill to replace the ISA. It is a bill to solely prevent crime," he said at a Crime Prevention Forum here today.

According to Ahmad Zahid, amendments also limited the power and abuse of power of the minister, and on the other hand, gave power to a three-man board comprising judges of High Court, Appeal Court and Federal Court appointed by the Yang Dipertuan Agong.

He had earlier explained that amendments to the PCA would also enable the police to carry out crime eradication and prevention more effectively, following the abolition of the Emergency Ordinance and the Restricted Residence Act 1993.

At a media conference later, Ahmad Zahid assured the PCA would not be used against politicians or parties with dissenting views.

"The concern of the Bar Council, NGOs (non-governmental organisations), as well as opposition parties, is that the government may use the PCA to detain politicians.

"The government has given its assurrance that the PCA is 100 per cent aimed only at criminals. It will not be manipulated to control, detain and jail parties with differing views with the government. It is only to prevent crimes," he said.

The PCA amendment bill will be debated at the Dewan Rakyat on Monday.