SUPP requests Safeguards in the National Security Council Bill

suppadmin | December 15, 2015

The National Security Council (NSC) Bill was recently passed in the House of Representatives and it is now making its way through the Senate.

SUPP is in full concurrence with the Senate President’s statement, Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang that the decision should be left to the Senators to decide without duress.

The proposed new law intends to create a council which will have the power, amongst others, to declare certain area a “security area” and the bill gives the NSC wide ranging powers in particular concerning security.

The proposed members of the Council are the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Defense Minister, Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Communications and Multimedia.

SUPP is always supportive of a stable and a strong government. The safety of the people and property are of the utmost concern for any political party and the Nation. However, we are also mindful that the wide ranging powers granted by any law should not be misapplied or abused.

In this context, the absence of representatives from Sarawak and Sabah in the NSC is very glaring. SUPP strongly feels that the interest of Sarawak and Sabah should be safeguarded at every level of the federal government.

SUPP is gravely concerned over the impact of the proposed law on Sarawak considering that it is a founding member-nation of the Federation of Malaysia. Malaysia was formed as a federation of 3 separate entities –Federation of Malaya, Sarawak and Sabah (after the separation of Singapore in 1965), based on the Inter Governmental Committee Report, IGC, and the Malaysia Agreement 1963. This law should be in line with these documents and reflect the correct composition of the three remaining States by including the views and voices from the other two founding partners of this Nation.

SUPP feels that for nation building purposes and in light of the Federal governments obligations under the Malaysia Agreement 1963, it is essential that there are representations from Sarawak and Sabah.

SUPP proposes that the Council be expanded to include the Chief Ministers of Sarawak and Sabah as members of the NSC or their nominated representatives. Furthermore, before any part of Sarawak (or Sabah) is to be declared a security area, the prior consent of the respective Chief Minister be made mandatory.

The above proposals are an important element to the people of Sarawak and Sabah. The sentiments of our people are paramount. The hearts and minds of our people must always be taken into account whenever any legislation is passed by Parliament.

SUPP as a party which is sensitive and responsive to the needs of Sarawakians asks for the NSC Bill to be amended to reflect the above requests.