Malaysia introduces law ending decades-old provision for indefinite detention without trial

Source: Associated Press

Malaysia introduces law ending decades-old provision for indefinite detention without trial
By Associated Press, Published: April 9 | Updated: Tuesday, April 10, 12:54 AM

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Malaysia’s government introduced legislation Tuesday to prevent people from being arrested for their political beliefs or detained indefinitely without trial.

The Security Offenses Bill presented to Parliament’s lower house marks a big step in placating rights groups that have long accused authorities of using detention without trial to stifle dissent.

The bill is meant to replace the 52-year-old Internal Security Act, which was enacted to give the government preventive powers against people accused of threatening national security following a communist insurgency.

Over the decades, opposition leaders and others who criticized the government have occasionally been held for months without trial. In recent years, the security act has been invoked mainly against militant suspects.


Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/malaysia-introduces-law-ending-decades-old-provision-for-indefinite-detention-without-trial/2012/04/10/gIQA15BN7S_story.html