Malaysia's parliament have voted to reintroduce indefinite detention for individuals perceived as a threat to the country's security, a measure critics say is authoritarian and a blow to human rights in the country.
Lawmakers voted late on Monday night to bring in the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2015, widely described as a revival of the feared Internal Security Act, a colonial era law abolished in 2012 amid talk of a new dawn for Malaysian civil liberties.
The debate lasted more than 10 hours, resulting in 79 votes to 60 in favor of approving the bill. The law must still be passed by the country's senate, but with the chamber dominated by the ruling party, it is expected to be quickly approved.
This comes after a government white paper — released in November — warned that the Islamic State (IS) was attempting to infiltrate political parties in Malaysia. At the same time, Prime Minister Najib Razak said that 39 Malaysians had been identified as participants in militant activities in Syria. "I am worried that 40 more will face the same fate if the authorities do not arrest them," he told the parliament.
"I urge all Malaysians especially youths and parents to reject this extremist ideology which can destroy the future of all. The peace and harmony achieved all this while is priceless and should be preserved," Najib said. Full story...
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