Cover image via The Malaysian Insider
Ending the weeks long debate over the controversial National Security Council, the Dewan Negara, approved the new NSC 2015 bill, via a voice vote, at 8:20pm, yesterday, 22 December.
Lawmakers, opposition parties and Malaysians in general, have been up in arms about the bill that has might give immeasurable power to the security council, set to be led by Prime Minister Najib Razak.
Soon after Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Dr. Shahidan Kassim, tabled the bill in the parliament and the Dewan Rakyat passed it on 3 December, reports on how the government's new security council committee would infringe on freedom of speech and democracy started surfacing, with most lawmakers and journalists explaining what the law can do and how its presence could affect Malaysians, negatively.
Political news portal, Malaysiakini, even came up with the infographics, clearly breaking down how the security council would function, if it comes into effect.
Members of the opposition parties quickly vowed to fight against this bill and even a [petition](https://www.change.org/p/yb-senator-tan-sri-abu-zahar-ujang-ahli-dewan-negara-summarily-reject-the-d-r-38-2015-majlis-keselamatan-negara-2015-bill) against it was created and 22,626 people have signed the petition so far.
According to The Malaysian Insider, the NSC bill was extensively discussed by 37 senators from both Barisan Nasional and the opposition party members at the Dewan Negara sitting.
The bill was approved without any amendments, despite two days worth of debates and reservations raised against it.
Image via The Malaysian Insider
After a great deal of discussion, here's what the government has to say about the newly approved NSC bill:
Speaking against all the concerns raised against the bill, Dewan Negara president Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang, stressed that the National Security Council is being set up for the greater good of the country and that Malaysians should set aside all their prejudices against it and get on board with it
Image via The Rakyat Post
Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Dr. Shahidan Kassim, stressed that the security council will in no way increase the powers of the Prime Minister or let PM Najib surpass the orders and powers of the Yang diPertuan Agong
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim
Image via The Malaysian Insider
Explaining the election of members for the new National Security Council, Shahidan said that they will be selected based on credibility and suitability for the job requirements
The National Security Council 2015 has very different functions compared to the Prevention of Terrorism Act (Pota) and Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma):
Shedding light on the importance of the national security council, Shahidan informed that this committee exists to specifically deal with declaration of security zones and issuing powers to the authorities, should emergency situations arise
The police force on standby during the Bersih 4.0 rally in late August
Image via The Malaysian Insider
