SERDANG: The government will not rush into amending the National Security Council (NSC) Act 2016 in order to prevent gangsters and criminals from running free, says Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
“As a democratic nation, we have to listen to the people. Some people feel that if we abolish the Act, many gangsters and criminals will have free rein to do what they like,” he said.
Speaking to reporters after opening the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture & Agrotourism (MAHA) Exhibition 2018 here on Thursday, Dr Mahathir said the Pakatan Harapan government in its manifesto had wanted to repeal many draconian laws.
“That was our promise then. So now, we have to study things carefully before we can make a decision,” he added.
In the 14th general election, PH had pledged to abolish various laws, including the NSC Act, which were deemed tyrannical.
However, on Monday, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (law) Mohamed Hanipa Maidin said that after reviewing the matter, the government has decided that it would be amending the Act instead of repealing it.
Meanwhile, Dr Mahathir was also asked on the possible ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) as well as Article 153 under the Federal Constitution.
Dr Mahathir said ICERD touches on freedom and less discrimination while Article 153 deals with privileges to the ‘pribumi’ and indigenous people.
“Some people may interpret the article as being discriminating against others. So if they think this discriminates against others and if we try abolish that, it goes against Article 153,” he said.
He said that in this case, Article 153 is relevant and cannot be amended without a two-third majority in Parliament.
“The government of today does not have the majority. In order to achieve that, the government must also have the support of opposition parties. Some members of the government are also against it.
“So I don’t think it is possible to amend the constitution,” Dr Mahathir added.
Last week , Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department P. Waytha Moorthy had clarified that the government would not abolish Article 153 of the Federal Constitution in favour of the ICERD.
He also said at the same time, the government has made a decision to obtain legal opinion locally and internationally on the convention, in order to get a clearer picture.