Pota passed after heated debate

KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat passed the Prevention of Terrorism Bill (POTA) 2015 after the government rejected all the proposals submitted by the opposition to amend several clauses deemed to have violated fundamental civil liberties.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said it was crucial to pass the bill in the wake of threats by militants and terrorists, citing the arrest of 17 suspects on Sunday who were plotting to kidnap high-profile individuals and launch attacks in the country.
The bill was passed after almost 13 hours of heated debate through bloc voting with 79 agreeing to the bill and 60 disagreeing
Ahmad Zahid also said there were several inputs from MPs, which were taken into consideration for future amendments where necessary.
With the passage of the bill, other laws like the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012, Prevention of Crime Act 1959 and the Penal Code, will also be amended to further strengthen them.
All the five amendments proposed by Pakatan Rakyat MPs, and a motion to refer the bill to the Parliamentary Select Committee, were rejected through bloc-voting.
The five amendments are:
> the police officer arresting a suspect must be of a rank of no less than superintendent;
> the accused must be brought to the High Court within 24 hours of arrest;
> the High Court will decide if the accused is to be released or remanded;
> if remanded, the remand period cannot be more than 14 days; and
> after 14 days, the accused must be charged; otherwise he must be released.
In rejecting the proposed amendments, Ahmad Zahid said the power to arrest cannot be given only to superintendents as there are fewer superintendents than inspectors; the latter also have the power to arrest and investigate anyone suspected of being involved in terrorist and militant activities.
He also said the suspects cannot be brought to a High Court as it is more feasible to bring them before a magistrate as there are more magistrates available most of the time.
Ahmad Zahid said the law is drafted not just to be punitive but also to rehabilitate and be preventive in nature before actions are taken.
He added that the law is specifically to address the threats of the Islamic State (IS).