The King said this when officiating the opening of the Dewan Rakyat’s first session for this year at the Parliament building here today.
Tuanku Abdul Halim also said he supported efforts to increase the country’s security assets.
“The security threat to the country is real. The threat of extremism and elements of violence should be taken seriously as it can lead to instability in the country.
“Therefore, I support any proactive effort, through the implementation of laws and by increasing security assets, to curb extremism and the spread of militant ideology,” he said.
On December 3 last year, the National Security Council Bill 2015 (NSC) was passed by the Dewan Rakyat despite fierce resistance from members of the Opposition.
The Bill was also cleared by Parliament’s Upper House on December 22 unchanged, after a two-day debate despite questions from Barisan Nasional senators on the constitutionality of the proposed law.
The senators were reported to have voiced concern over the wide-ranging powers the Bill gave to those in charge of areas identified as security zones, and those empowered to relocate persons in the area, the right to acquire land and property.
On February 17, the Conference of Malay Rulers recommended that some provisions of the NSC Bill be refined.
According to the Bill, the NSC’s jurisdiction would take effect once the prime minister designated a location as a “security area”, and this status would be valid for six months at a time, subject to renewal by the prime minister.
Once the NSC takes over control of an area, security forces will have the right to search or arrest without warrant, any individual “found committing, alleged to have committed, or reasonably suspected of having committed any offence under written laws in the security area.”
On April 7 last year, the Prevention of Terrorism Bill (Pota) 2015 was passed without amendment at the Dewan Rakyat despite strong criticism from Opposition lawmakers and civil society groups.