Malaysia Government gives itself new security legislation

The Malaysian Government abolished its repressive, colonial era Internal Security Act in 2012 after sustained pressure by activists for decades. It nevertheless had a number of other laws, such as the Sedition Act by which it has been able to detain and arrest opponents almost at will. Nevertheless, this month a new draconian law, the National Security Council Act came into effect that give the government almost unlimited powers to search, seizure and arrest. Activists fear that Malaysia will now become a virtual police state.

The Malaysian Government abolished its repressive, colonial era Internal Security Act in 2012 after sustained pressure by activists for decades. It nevertheless had a number of other laws, such as the Sedition Act by which it has been able to detain and arrest opponents almost at will. Nevertheless, this month a new draconian law, the National Security Council Act came into effect that give the government almost unlimited powers to search, seizure and arrest. Activists fear that Malaysia will now become a virtual police state.