GEORGE TOWN, Sept 3 – The Prevention of Crime Act (PCA) 1959 will be amended to make it more effective in crime prevention, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He hoped that the draft amendment would be completed for tabling at the Dewan Rakyat on Sept 23.
With the amendment, the PCA will also be extended to Sabah and Sarawak, he told reporters after officiating an orientation programme for newly registered students at Universiti Sains Malaysia here Tuesday .
“I hope the amendment will be welcomed by not only Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs but also opposition MPs in the interest of the people,” he said.
Dismissing claims that the amendment would lead to abuse, he said instead, it would give the police more authority as a suspect could be detained up to 72 days by a court order before he was produced in court.
Ahmad Zahid said the amendment was important in strengthening the police after preventive laws such as the Emergency Ordinance 1969 and the Restricted Residence Act 1933 were abolished.
– BERNAMA
