Published: Thursday September 15, 2011 MYT 8:52:00 PM
Updated: Thursday September 15, 2011 MYT 9:06:27 PM

PM announces historic changes in nation’s laws

The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Several draconian laws including the ISA and the three Emergency proclamations are to be abolished under sweeping civil liberty reforms announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Thursday.

Najib outlined his ground breaking announcement, saying that the country has changed and the people wanted more freedom.

The changes, he stressed, were to accommodate and realise a mature, modern and functioning democracy; to preserve public order; enhance civil liberty and maintain racial harmony.

The major changes are:

*Government to table motion in parliament to repeal all 3 Proclamations of Emergency currently in force so that Malaysians can move forward

*Internal Security Act to be repealed; replaced with anti-terrorism laws limiting detention without trial; no one to be arrested for their political ideology

*Banishment Act 1959 to be abolished; Restricted Residence Act 1933 to be reviewed

*Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, that requires yearly renewal of publishing licence by media companies, will be abolished

*The law forbidding assembly in public places will be reviewed to allow freedom of assembly according to international norms