SEREMBAN, Aug 3 — Efforts should be focused on enhancing the efficiency of the security forces, especially the police, in checking crime instead of introducing new laws.
Umno Youth head Khairy Jamaluddin (picture), in making the suggestion, said such efforts included raising the skill of the police force in carrying out criminal investigation and improving the technical facilities of the force.
“Personally, I don’t agree with the enforcement of any law that provides for detention without trial because this contravenes the individual’s human rights and the principle of natural justice, and this is something that we cannot accept.
“So, we should not introduce any law that allows for detention without trial but should instead enhance the capability of our security forces,” he told reporters at a breaking of the fast organised by the Negri Sembilan Umno Youth with the media here last night.
He said this when asked to comment on the polemic regarding a new Bill to tackle serious crime to be tabled in Parliament in September which is said to incorporate an element on detention without a trial.
The Bill aims to prevent crime after the government had abolished the Emergency Ordinance and the Restricted Residence Act in 2011.
Khairy, who is also youth and sports minister, said the police actually had extensive power under the Prevention of Crime Act 1959 which enabled them to remand any criminal suspect.
He said even if a new law was to be formulated, it should not include the element of detention without a trial as this contravened the principles in the constitution.
In addition, Khairy said another important element that must be considered was the protection of the interest and safety of witnesses in criminal cases.
He said although witnesses were protected under the Witness Protection Act 2009, they still had to come forward to give testimony which would lead to their identity being exposed. — Bernama
