National Security Council Act 2016

National Security Council Act 2016
Parliament of Malaysia
  • An Act to provide for the establishment of the National Security Council, the declaration of security areas, the special powers of the Security Forces in the security areas and other related matters.
CitationAct 776
Territorial extentMalaysia
Passed byDewan Rakyat
Passed3 December 2015
Passed byDewan Negara
Passed22 December 2015
Royal assent18 February 2016
Commenced7 June 2016
Effective1 August 2016, P.U. (B) 310/2016[1]
Legislative history
First chamber: Dewan Rakyat
Bill titleNational Security Council Bill 2015
Bill citationD.R. 38/2015
Introduced byShahidan Kassim, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department
First reading1 December 2015
Second reading3 December 2015
Third reading3 December 2015
Second chamber: Dewan Negara
Bill titleNational Security Council Bill 2015
Bill citationD.R. 38/2015
Member(s) in chargeShahidan Kassim, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department
First reading7 December 2015
Second reading21 December 2015
Third reading22 December 2015
Related legislation
Public Authorities Protection Act 1948 [Act 198]
Keywords
National security council, national security
Status: In force

The National Security Council Act 2016 (Malay: Akta Majlis Keselamatan Negara 2016) is "to provide for the establishment of the National Security Council, the declaration of security areas, the special powers of the Security Forces in the security areas and other related matters". This Act is intended to strengthen the government's ability to address increasing threats to the nation's security, including threats of violent extremism.[2][3] The Bill was introduced into parliament by Shahidan Kassim on 1 December 2015.[4] It passed the Dewan Rakyat (House of Representatives) on 3 December 2015,[5] and the Dewan Negara (Senate) on 22 December 2015 without amendment.[3] The Act received Royal Assent on 18 February 2016 in pursuant to Clause 4A of Article 66 of the Federal Constitution.

The Bill has faced considerable consideration from human rights groups and other organisations both within Malaysia and internationally. Before the bill passed the Senate, the European Parliament passed a resolution calling for the Bill's withdrawal.[3]

Structure

The National Security Council Act 2016, in its current form (7 June 2016), consists of 7 Parts containing 44 sections and no schedule (including no amendment).

  • Part I: Preliminary
  • Part II: National Security Council
  • Part III: Duties of the Director General of National Security and Government Entities
  • Part IV: Declaration of Security Area
  • Part V: Special Powers of the Director of Operations and Security Forces Deployed to the Security Area
  • Part VI: General
  • Part VII: Savings

References

  1. ^ "National Security Council Act 2016: Appointment of Date Coming into Operation" (PDF). Attorney General's Chamber of Malaysia. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
  2. ^ Parameswaran, Prashanth (24 December 2015). "Malaysia Passes Controversial National Security Law". The Diplomat. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  3. ^ a b c Naidu, Sumisha (22 December 2015). "Malaysia Senate passes controversial security bill". Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  4. ^ "List of Bills". Parliament of Malaysia. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  5. ^ Ramzy, Austin (3 December 2015). "Malaysian Security Law Invites Government Abuses, Rights Groups Say". New York Times. Retrieved 6 April 2016.