I'm not asking to repeal Sosma, just review it, says govt MP
KUALA LUMPUR : A government backbencher has urged Putrajaya to review the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma), saying that its provisions for detention without bail and delayed trials amount to a violation of human rights.
Hassan Karim (PH–Pasir Gudang) told the Dewan Rakyat that detainees held under Sosma are not allowed bail under Section 13 of the law, with some facing long delays before their trials begin.
He shared that on Monday, 34 families of Sosma detainees had gathered outside Parliament to hand over a memorandum and seek support from MPs.
'They are not from privileged backgrounds; they are struggling. I saw their faces, and I could see their suffering.
'They came to meet MPs because they know it was Parliament that made this unfair law,' he said during the debate on the 2023 Annual Report and Financial Statement of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam).
He said the detainees were detained in May 2024, but their trial is only scheduled for 2028.
'Even if there's an appeal, the earliest trial date is in 2026. This means these 34 detainees will be under remand for at least two years before their trial begins,' he said.
'They were later charged under Section 130B(1) of the Penal Code, which carries a prison sentence of between five and 20 years if convicted.'
Hassan stressed that he was not calling for Sosma to be repealed, but for a review that includes input from the police, Bar Council, NGOs and the families of detainees.
'We are a Madani government, and if we detain someone for two years in prison without the right to bail, this goes against the philosophy of Madani. It is cruel,' he said.
He also reminded MPs that Sosma was enacted by Parliament, not by the police.
'So to all MPs, it is our hands that bear the burden of this injustice. I am not asking for Sosma to be abolished completely.
'Just bring it to the Cabinet and review it. If it needs to be amended, then amend it,' he said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
JS-SEZ draws RM1.34bil in investment commitments from 5 S'pore companies
Johor menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi said 70 companies from countries such as Singapore, China, Germany, the UK and the Netherlands have expressed interest in investing in the JS-SEZ. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Johor has secured RM1.34 billion in investment commitments from five Singapore-based companies under the Johor-Singapore special economic zone (JS-SEZ), says menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi. An additional RM78 million in potential investments is under negotiation as part of the second phase, he said. Onn Hafiz said these investments were facilitated by the Johor branch of the Malaysian Investment Facilitation Centre, which helps coordinate and speed up strategic investment processes in the state. 'To date, 70 companies from countries including Singapore, China, Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands, as well as local investors, have expressed interest in investing in the JS-SEZ,' Bernama quoted him as saying during his official visit to Singapore as the 82nd recipient of the Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellowship. He also met with Singapore's deputy prime minister and minister for trade and industry Gan Kim Yong to strengthen economic ties and discuss the implementation of the JS-SEZ. Onn Hafiz said among the topics discussed were establishing a free trade zone within the JS-SEZ, improving cross-border movement of goods and talent, and developing a second Rapid Transit System link on Johor's western side. He said they also discussed addressing the rising cost of living, infrastructure improvements, and a more efficient transport system. He emphasised Johor's readiness to adopt progressive policies that promote growth and ensure real benefits for the people, and reaffirmed the importance of strong cooperation between Johor, Malaysia and Singapore. 'I believe the strategic cooperation between Johor, Malaysia and Singapore must continue to be strengthened to realise a development agenda that is inclusive, equitable and sustainable, so that no one is left behind,' he said. JS-SEZ was formally established in January through an agreement between Malaysia and Singapore to boost economic connectivity between the state and the republic. It aims to attract 100 projects worth RM100 billion and create about 100,000 jobs in high-value sectors such as manufacturing, digital economy, logistics, clean energy, and tourism over the next decade.
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Sosma amendments should prioritise legal access and timely hearings, say experts
KUALA LUMPUR: As the government enters the final stages of reviewing the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma), a former Suhakam commissioner has identified key areas he hopes will be addressed during upcoming stakeholder consultations. Ragunath Kesavan said amendments should prioritise enhanced legal safeguards for detainees, including guaranteed access to legal counsel, the option of bail, and improved trial conditions. He also urged the government to shorten the extended remand periods currently permitted under Sosma and to ensure that hearings proceed without unnecessary delays. In addition, he stressed the need to strengthen procedural integrity to prevent abuse and ensure the law aligns more closely with the Criminal Procedure Code. The government recently announced it would hold engagement sessions with key stakeholders, including the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam), as part of the review process. Meanwhile, human rights lawyer Andrew Khoo called on the government to disclose its proposed amendments early, along with the rationale and justification for each proposed change. He also stressed the need for meaningful and substantive stakeholder engagement before the Bill is tabled in Parliament, warning against superficial consultations that amount to little more than a "tick-the-box" exercise. Ultimately, Khoo believes the law should be repealed in its entirety, citing reported abuses such as denying detainees access to legal counsel and prolonged delays in bringing cases to trial. On July 29, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the ministry planned to amend Sosma following sustained calls from rights groups for its review or repeal. The ministry intends to present the proposed amendments in Parliament, pending Cabinet approval. Saifuddin said 73 offences under the law had been identified and reviewed to ensure its implementation was consistent with the Federal Constitution, Malaysia's international obligations, and the principle of due process of law.
Free Malaysia Today
3 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
MLFF highway toll system may only roll out in 2027, says works ministry
Under the MLFF system, all exit and entry points on highways will be converted into barrier-free lanes to reduce congestion and ease traffic flow. PETALING JAYA : The much-anticipated multi-lane free flow (MLFF) toll system may only be implemented in 2027 at the earliest, provided the Cabinet gives its approval, a works ministry official told the Public Accounts Committee. Works ministry secretary-general Azman Ibrahim said a draft of key parameters for MLFF implementation has been done, but engagement with highway concessionaires cannot begin until a Cabinet decision is made. 'We don't want them (concessionaires) turning around and accusing us of pre-empting the process. So, that's one thing,' he told the PAC during a May 20 proceeding, the transcript of which was included in the committee's latest report on the project. 'Secondly, on the implementation timeline, considering the time it will take for engagement, for the concessionaires to run a request-for-proposal process, and for us to also establish a regulatory body to oversee everything, taking all these into account, the earliest we can expect implementation is in 2027.' Azman also said the MLFF system's legal framework exists under current legislation, but additional regulations will need to be introduced to facilitate enforcement and oversight. Under the MLFF system, all exit and entry points on highways will be converted into barrier-free lanes to reduce congestion and ease traffic flow. The system is part of the Malaysian ITS Blueprint (2019-2023), designed to modernise the country's highway infrastructure. However, the PAC had previously cautioned that the MLFF alone would not solve highway congestion issues. It also warned against any high-impact agreements being signed during caretaker governments and urged that future decisions ensure no financial burden is passed to the government or road users. No toll hike, no government funding Azman also confirmed that the previous appointment of KJS-SEP Synergy JV to implement MLFF lapsed in December 2024 after it failed to secure buy-in from existing highway operators. He said any future implementation must be led entirely by the concessionaires without government financial involvement. He also said there must be no increase in toll rates as a result of the MLFF implementation.
