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Significance
He was referring to the National Security Council Act (NSCA), which came into effect on August 1 after being passed in December 2015 without express royal assent. The government says the legislation is necessary to protect Malaysia amid increasing concerns over terrorism, particularly by Islamic State group (ISG), but critics argue that it gives the prime minister arbitrary powers that could be abused.
Impacts
The government will use the NSCA regardless of civil society criticisms, making protests possible.
International perceptions that the NSCA is being abused would cause diplomatic trouble for Malaysia.
The NSCA's utility could be dampened if political use continues to be made of Islam, as is likely.
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2016
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