He said this in a parliamentary written reply to Fuziah Salleh (PKR – Kuantan) who had asked if elections could be conducted in an area designated as a security area.

“The declaration of a security area under Section 18 of the NSC Bill is not an emergency declaration under Article 150 of the Federal Constitution.

“Thus, the designation will not prevent the holding of an election. It will not affect campaigns conducted by political parties,” said Shahidan.

According to Shahidan, the designating of security areas is meant to enable security forces to counter security threats. He assured that, “daily activities can be conducted and will not be affected”.

The NSC Bill has been passed by both the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara and is currently awaiting royal assent. The Conference of Rulers has, however, sent it back to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for a review.

Under the NSC Bill, the prime minister can declare any area a security zone.