Opposition Leader Mark Golding has described as divisive, the intention of the Government to pass the Enhanced Security Measures Act (ESMA) without the input of the Opposition.

He was reacting to comments made by National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang.

The Minister has implied that the Government may have no other option than to go ahead with the ESMA due to what he claimed was a lack of consensus by the Opposition.

In response, Mr. Golding said the Opposition has long called for the enhanced measures.

He said the fault is with the Government, which has not consulted with the Opposition on the legislation its proposing.

Mr. Golding noted that the Opposition has for a long time been urging the Government to use enhanced measures to tackle crime and violence, instead of the state of emergency.