New Malaysia terror law allows indefinite detention without trial

World Today

Less than three years after Prime Minister Najib Razak scrapped the controversial Internal Security Act, which also allowed for preventive detention and frequently used against political opponents, Malaysia’s government has introduced a new anti-terrorism law that will allow for indefinite detention without trial. CCTV’s Rian Maelzer filed this report from Kuala Lumpur.
Follow Rian Maelzer on Twitter @rdamael

Highlights:

  • New legislation in Malaysia allows people to be detained indefinitely without trial at the behest of a government-appointed board. The courts cannot review or overturn a detention order.
  • The government says the act is to thwart the growing threat of groups like the Islamic State.
  • After Prime Minister Najib Razak abolished the Internal Security Act in 2012, the police complained it was making it tougher to nab suspected militants. But even without the new act, police have arrested numerous IS supporters, including some planning to travel to join up with jihadists.