SHAH ALAM, 3 Apr: The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) is disappointed with the implementation of the Prevention of Crime Act (Amendment and Extension) 2013 which was formulated by the Federal Government without consulting them.
Its Chairman, Tan Sri Hasmy Agam, said that it came into force yesterday (2 April) despite objections by various stakeholders over its non-compliance with fundamental human rights principles.
He said that the Act is still backward in nature and is inconsistent with human rights principles enshrined in the Federal Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
“SUHAKAM is concerned over the provisions which allow for detention without trial and the denial of an individual’s rights to legal representation and to a fair trial, as well as to be presumed innocent until proven guilty according to the law in a public trial.
He said that it is important for the Federal Government to translate such assurances into legal provisions towards ensuring an effective implementation of the Act as well as rehabilitation for the detainees by the relevant authorities.
He said that the Federal Government should only use the Act as a last resort.
