PUTRAJAYA: Several legislations on national security and public order will be reviewed and, if necessary, tabled in Parliament for amendments, Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said yesterday.
This is to strengthen the newly-introduced Security and Public Order policy, he added.
Muhyiddin said some of the legislations, such as the Peaceful Assembly Act, have already been brought before Parliament for changes, while others will be tabled soon.
These include the Sedition Act, Prevention of Crime Act, Printing Presses and Publications Act, Security Offences (Special Measures) Act, Prevention of Terrorism Act and the Penal Code. The Pakatan Harapan (PH) government is studying these laws and a decision to amend or repeal them will be made based on the pledges set in the last general election manifesto, he added.
However, any proposal to amend or repeal the Acts will not necessarily be tabled in the upcoming session slated to start on Oct 7, he told a press conference at the launch of the new policy at the Home Ministry yesterday.
“We also need to engage various stakeholders on this,” he added.
Muhyiddin said the government is studying the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act. Once the study has been completed, recommendations will be presented to the Cabinet, and then tabled in Parliament.
The Security and Public Order policy outlines 21 strategies in six core areas to address a broad range of public safety and security issues.
Among them are the need to defend and uphold the Federal Constitution and key institutions, improve governance and integrity, strengthen national border security and combat drug abuse.
On a separate matter, Muhyiddin said the standard operating procedure (SOP) for the police is being updated.
“This is an ongoing process.”
He was responding to calls for a review of the SOP following the conclusion of an inquest into the death of firefighter Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim.
“The SOP remains relevant in many agencies, like the narcotics unit, police, and the Prisons Department. The SOP has been in place for many years,” he said.
