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Pakatan fails to get bloc vote on amendments to Prevention of Crime Act
The
opposition failed to stop the passing of the Prevention of Crime Act
(PCA) at the policy stage after a bloc vote. It is now being debated at
the committee stage.After the vote was taken, 115 MPs agreed for the Bill to be discussed further at the committee stage where every clause will be scrutinised and discussed in detailed, as opposed to 66 who rejected the move.
In a bloc vote, each member indicates his or her vote. Usually, such bills are decided by voice or how loud the “ayes” and “nays” are heard by the Speaker.
Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak) had requested for a bloc vote after Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi completed his winding-up speech and responded to points raised by MPs during debates over the past two days.
The amendments to the PCA were tabled last week in Parliament. One of the amendments provides for up to two years detention without trial.
Currently, the PCA allows the detention of suspects up to 72 days, during which period they should be produced in court at certain stages.
Similar to the old ISA, the proposed amendments exclude the provision of judicial review, except if it is on procedural measures.
A Prevention of Crime Board will also be set up where reports on the detainees are to be made to the board instead of the minister.
Putrajaya came under more fire over the amendments, which have been likened to the return of the Internal Security Act (ISA).
DAP chairman Karpal Singh said the new contents were "no better" than what it was under the ISA while DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang described the amendments as regressive and "an obnoxious piece of legislation".
Civil society, including the Bar Council, have said they were not told nor consulted over the amendments.
As a result, Pakatan Rakyat proposed 10 changes to the PCA, primarily touching on the two-year detention period. - October 2, 2013.
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