The Generational End Game Bill has caused some backlash recently after it was tabled in Parliament on Wednesday (July 27).
One of its most controversial provisions is on the power of an enforcement officer which includes the power to enter premises, open baggage/packages, access computers and phones, stop, search and seize vehicles as well as body searches all without a need for a warrant.
Although doctors and those in the health industry have been trying to push for the government to speed up the GEG bill, politicians and ordinary Malaysians have felt slightly more wary due to the potential abuse of power that may come with its implementation.
Following its widespread criticism, Minister of Health Khairy Jamaluddin recently revealed that a few changes have been made to the proposed bill.
In a Twitter post, KJ said that he met both the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on Women, Children and Social Development and Kelvin Yii who is the Chair of the PSC on Health, Science and Innovation.
KJ said that they were productive meetings, and in the spirit of bipartisanship he has agreed to amend the following:
- Reduction of standard fines for GEG in the Act from RM 5,000 to RM 500,
- Addition of community service as an option in lieu of a fine (as mandated by court),
- No body search for anyone under the age of 18,
- No punishment for possession for all GEG-related offences.
He concluded by saying, “with these concessions, the majority of recommendations by both PSCs has been incorporated as amendments into the Bill.”
Still doesn’t resolve potential abuses of powers
Despite the slight amendments to the Bill, Malaysians were still dissatisfied at the lack of address towards the pressing issue which is the provision that is on the authorities’ powers.
“These are just on the punishment. Nothing yet on reducing the power of the enforcer,” commented a user.
Another commented, “The proposed Act is still broken if enforcement officers can do these things. The rakyat has suffered enough from heavy handed enforcement, let alone the corrupt.”
What do you think of the recent changes?
Also read: Syed Saddiq Slammed For Asking Gov’t To Clarify How To Prevent Abuses Of Power With GEG Bill
