PETALING JAYA, Aug 20 — Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s crusade to install new preventive laws has been hit by a double whammy from his own allies, PAS said today.

PAS information chief Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said recent statements by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar proved that there was little ground to support the reinstatement of laws similar to the Emergency Ordinance (EO).

Khalid had revealed yesterday that over 200 suspected criminals have been arrested since Saturday under the Prevention of Crime Act 1959 (Amended 1983), which allows police to detain suspects for up to 72 days.

The same day, Najib gave his assurance that the government will not resort to new laws that restrict rights and liberties in its bid to rein in crime.

“Both these statements are a slap to Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who has been pushing all this while for the return of the EO to tackle serious crime that has been on the rise,” Tuan Ibrahim said in a statement.

He said that Khalid’s announcement was an eye-opener as it shed light on the fact that there are existing laws such as the Prevention of Crime Act that allow up to 2½ months’ detention with a court order, unlike the repealed Internal Security Act (ISA) and EO, which allowed for indefinite detention.

He added that Najib’s statement clearly showed that Zahid’s push to reinstate the EO does not have the Cabinet’s support.

“Such conflicting statements tear down public trust in Zahid and his ministry. The bigger question is what is Zahid’s goal in pushing for the return of the EO?

“Is it because the power to use the EO lies in the hands of the minister while other Acts require a court order, or merely part of his ploy to defend his Umno vice-presidency in the coming party polls?” asked Tuan Ibrahim.

The PAS leader said his party welcomes the police’s recent efforts to arrest suspected criminals, but urged the men in blue to be constantly vigilant and not make crime prevention a seasonal affair.

“PAS supports the position of former Chief Justice Tun Zaki Azmi for the Prevention of Crime Act to be improved so as to give police the power to fight serious crime.

“PAS hopes that the Prevention of Crime Act will not be used on innocents or for whatever political ploy.”