KUALA LUMPUR: The National Security Council bill was tabled at the Dewan Rakyat today.
The bill, which was tabled by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim for first reading earlier, among others, stated the council would be headed by the prime minister as its chairman, with members consisting of the deputy prime minister, chief secretary, defence minister and Inspector-General of Police.
Under Clause 18, the prime minister, with the advise of the council, may make a declaration of a security area that is seriously disturbed or threatened and likely to cause serious harm to people, territories, economy, key infrastructures or any interest of Malaysia.
In a security area, designated authorities including the army and the police are allowed to arrest or search any individual deemed a threat without a warrant.
The bill also look into discretionary powers provided under the Emergency Ordinance, giving authorities more power to deal with security issues.
Clause 25 on provision for power of arrest states that any member of the security forces may, without warrant, arrest any person found committing, alleged to have committed or reasonably suspected of having committed any offence under written laws in the security area