No more laws that restrict human rights, Najib promises

The government will not introduce laws which restrict human rights and liberties to rein in crime, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak (pic) promised.

The recent spate of violent crimes involving firearms has led to a growing chorus of demands from certain quarters for the government to reinstate preventive laws.

But Najib disagreed with the demands, saying he will not reinstate the powers to detain individuals without trial that he has abolished.

"We are doing our best to find a good balance to ensure that human rights are not affected but to defend public interest as well," he said.

"This is what is needed for a more matured society," he said, adding that it was a fine juggling act.

Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had warned that Malaysians would have to pay a price for the more liberal brand of democracy they were demanding.

Najib: Govt mindful of human rights in war against crime

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the government will do everything possible to tackle serious crimes in this country, but at the same time be mindful of possible transgression of human rights.

"The important thing is that I want to underscore the government's commitment to fight crime especially serious crimes and organised crime in this country," said the Prime Minister when asked on the controversial issue of preventive detention measures, which has received different reactions from the public.

Najib said the government would make an announcement on specific measures later.

Previously, Najib had said that views from various quarters would be taken into account in formulating a new law similar to the Emergency Ordinance (EO) 1969, which was repealed in 2011.

Earlier this month, Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was reported to have said that following the repeal of EO, some of the 2,600 former detainees from the Simpang Renggam detention centre had returned to a life of crime.

He also said that he was currently discussing a draft of a new law with Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail. - Bernama

(Source: The Star Online)