UPI reports that Malaysia has passed a controversial anti-terrorism bill that reintroduces detention without trial after it was abolished for three years.
The Prevention of Terrorism Act passed early Tuesday after more than 10 hours of debate with a vote of 79 to 60.
Hours before the bill passed, police announced the detention of 17 suspected militants, one as young as 14, who are accused of attempting to attack police stations and army bases in Kuala Lumpur, the country’s capital, to acquire weapons.
The new law bypasses Malaysia’s judiciary, allowing detention of people at the discretion of police for up to 59 days. Read more