We want to ensure Malaysians don't live in fear, says PM

The proposed amendments to the Prevention of Crime Act (PCA) is to ensure Malaysians will not live in fear of crime happening in their own backyard, says Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He rejected claims that the PCA is the Government’s move to revive the Internal Security Act (ISA), saying that the proposed amendments were dedicated to fighting organised crime.

“If the Government does not take serious action, more people will bec­ome victims and they will live in fear.

“I want to create an atmosphere where each Malaysian will feel safe in their own country, and this can be done through a serious commitment from the Government and giving priority to the security of a country,” Najib told the Malaysian media at the end of a working visit to San Francisco and New York.

He said the PCA was different from the ISA, which vested huge powers in the Home Minister and police to make arrests without going through a court process.

“But this time (under the amended PCA), the decision will be made by a judge. So, if the police were to arrest anyone, they have to convince the judge that the particular individual should be detained.

“And we will make sure that no one will be victimised,” he said, adding that a person would not be arrested merely for subscribing to any political ideology.

The proposed amendments to the PCA would enable the authorities to detain hardcore criminals for up to two years without trial.

This particular section of the PCA has incurred the wrath of Opposition politicians and some civil societies.

They claimed that the PCA was another form of the ISA. Asked to comment on the objections, Najib said: “It doesn’t mean that we have to consult all stakeholders, but they are free to give us their views.”

(Source: http://www.thestar.com.my)

Najib prays for Pakistan people's safety, resilience

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has prayed for the safety and resilience of the people of Pakistan following a devastating earthquake that struck the nation on Tuesday. 

"My thoughts and prayers are for the victims of the Pakistan earthquake. I pray for the people's safety and resilience in this trying time," he said in his Twitter post today. 

 

A powerful quake killed at least 328 people and wounded hundreds more in Pakistan's remote south-west province of Balochistan. 

 

The 7.7-magnitude quake struck on Tuesday afternoon at a depth of 20km northeast of Awaran district. Bernama

 

(Source: http://www.nst.com.my)

Safety of M'sian students in Egypt remains a top priority: Najib

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 18, 2013): Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said the safety of Malaysian students in Egypt remains a top priority.

The Prime Minister in his tweet said that the government would undertake the necessary measures to bring them home safely.

"The safety of our students in Egypt remains a top priority. We will do what is necessary to ensure they can be brought home safe," he said.

Najib had reportedly directed that preparations be made to bring back Malaysian students who are pursuing studies in Egypt in view of the current developments in the country.

Meanwhile, Education Ministry and Wisma Putra in Egypt have set up a "safe home" to facilitate the evacuation of Malaysian students if the situation warrants it.

Bloody clashes erupted on Wednesday between supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi and security forces after the forces moved to clear out protest camps at two major squares in Egypt set up by Morsi's loyalists demanding his return to power. – Bernama

(Source: The Sun Daily)

Najib hopes M’sians in Egypt look after their safety

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak hopes Malaysians in Egypt look after their safety, and not get involved in the country’s current bloody conflict.

The prime minister also expressed gratitude that Malaysians in that country were safe although hundreds of Egyptians were killed, so far.

“I am pleased with the well-being of Malaysians. Contact our embassy in Cairo to keep tabs on the current development,” he said in his Facebook yesterday.

Egypt is caught in a bloody conflict after a crackdown by security forces on protesting supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi, resulting in hundreds killed and thousands injured.

Meanwhile, in a tweet, Najib said he would open the Kedah Urban Transformation Centre this afternoon, to facilitate the people to carry out transactions with the government.

The prime minister is in Kedah yesterday, for a one-day visit.

In an earlier tweet, Najib said the government wanted to see the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) contribute 40 per cent of Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP) to pave the way for a high-income nation.

He said this on his Twitter account when commenting on a news report that the SMEs target could be achieved by 2015.

Currently, SME contribution to the GDP stands at 33 per cent.

Finance Ministry secretary-general Tan Sri Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah said SMEs would need to contribute more to the economic growth of the country to become a high-income nation. — Bernama

(Source: The Borneo Post)

Najib urges shopping mall owners, housing developers to do more in combating crime

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak urged shopping mall operators and housing developers to do more in contributing to public safety.

He gave a slew of suggestions yesterday, including a more secure housing area design and shopping malls could do better by employing more security guards.

"There is nothing wrong with hiring more guards at shopping malls for example. Stop thinking solely about profits.

"And you must realise that more people will come to your shopping mall if the premise is proven to be safer."

The Prime Minister said this said this at the launch of 'United Against Crime' campaign, organised by the Performance Management & Delivery Unit (PEMANDU) at KLCC Park, here.

Bernama reported, the effort to fight crime is a war which needs commitment and continuous support from all levels of society to create a safe surrounding for the people, Najib said today.

He said the active and pro-active participation from the society was necessary to help achieve the government's aspiration to create a safe and peaceful feeling, as well as free from fear in the society.