Tough security law goes into effect in Malaysia amid scandal

Malaysia has enacted tough new security legislation, drawing fresh criticism from those who say the "draconian" law could be used against opponents of the scandal-tainted premier.

The National Security Council Act was put into effect on Monday after being pushed through parliament by the government of Prime Minister Najib Razak in December. 

The legislation gives the government power to declare virtual martial law in areas deemed to be under "security threat."

Critics accuse Najib and his government of enacting the law and other tough measures in order to intimidate those trying to challenge him legally or politically. 

For more than a year, Najib has been facing calls to resign over a huge alleged corruption scandal involving Saudi rulers. 

Under the new law, a council led by Najib can declare a state of emergency and impose curfews in areas deemed to be under a security threat.

The legislation also gives security forces wide powers of arrest, search and seizure without a warrant.

Human rights group Amnesty International said the new law "empowers the Malaysian authorities to trample over human rights and act with impunity."

"With this new law, the government now has spurned checks and assumed potentially abusive powers," Josef Benedict, Amnesty's deputy director for South East Asia and the Pacific, said in a statement.

Last week, the UN human rights regional office said it was "gravely concerned" that the law may encourage human rights violations and lead to "unjust restrictions" on free speech and assembly. 

SS