Latest news with #Sosma
Free Malaysia Today
5 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Cabinet to review Sosma amendments in August, says Saifuddin
Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said stakeholder engagement and discussions with relevant parties on amending Sosma are still ongoing. KUALA LUMPUR : A policy paper proposing amendments to the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) will be presented to the Cabinet in August, says home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. Winding up the debate on Suhakam's 2023 annual report in the Dewan Rakyat today, Saifuddin said among the key reforms being considered is Section 13 of the law, which bars bail for most offences. 'There are at least two issues we're focusing on, including Section 13, which has been raised by many MPs (throughout the debate). This concerns the issue of bailable, non-bailable, and unbailable offences,' he said. Saifuddin said the second issue involves the scope of offences listed under Sosma. 'There are currently 73 types of offences that can lead to a person being detained under Sosma. 'In our engagement sessions, we have so far identified 13 offences that will be removed from the list of offences on which Sosma can be applied,' he said, adding that these sessions are still ongoing. However, Saifuddin did not disclose which offences were being removed. Earlier, Hassan Karim (PH-Pasir Gudang) urged Putrajaya to review Sosma, especially Section 13 of the Act, which imposes a blanket no-bail rule for most offences. In February, Saifuddin was reported to have said that the government was considering allowing bail for certain offences and shortening the 28-day detention period under Sosma. A special committee was formed to study the proposals. Sosma was enforced in 2012 by the Najib Razak administration after the Internal Security Act (ISA) was abolished the same year. Under Sosma, police officers may arrest and detain an individual, whom they believe is involved in security offences, without a warrant. In his winding-up speech, Saifuddin also said Putrajaya is open to reviewing the idea of setting up a special court to handle Sosma cases, amid concerns over long-drawn trials. 'Is the view of Jelutong (RSN Rayer) for a special court to be set up appropriate? This engagement session gives Jelutong ample opportunity to put forward his views,' Saifuddin told the Dewan Rakyat. 'Provide the justification, provide the rationale. If it is considered a reasonable improvement, we will review it,' he said.
The Star
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
House arrest law can ease prison overcrowding, says Saifuddin
KUALA LUMPUR: The government is mulling house arrest – which includes the use of electronic monitoring devices – for remand detainees to address overcrowding in prisons, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. The Home Minister revealed that the current prison population is 83,808, with 35% comprising remand prisoners. "Something must be done," he said during the wrap-up of debates on the Suhakam 2023 report in Parliament on Thursday (July 24). He also said that the government is focusing on rehabilitation and reintegration programmes, which have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing recidivism. Saifuddin said among these are the Licensed Prisoner Release and Corporate Smart Internship Programme that provide job opportunities in five economic sectors, namely plantations, service, construction, manufacturing and agriculture. "After reintegration and serving their sentences, only one out of 800 prisoners is a re-offender," he said. Saifuddin also said legislative amendments would be needed, saying there are ongoing efforts to redefine "restraint devices" to include electronic monitoring devices. "We have had the policy approval, now we need to develop the amendment matrix. Just like the format of a Bill," he said. On the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma), Saifuddin said there is continuous engagement to review the law. He said this included reviewing what constitutes bailable, non-bailable and unbailable offences under Sosma, with 13 out 73 offences under Section 13 of the Act identified for removal from the list. "On having a special court to hear Sosma offences, the engagement will continue… we will study the recommendations," he added. During debates, several MPs raised concerns over Sosma detainees. Hassan Karim (PH-Pasir Gudang), said that the Actm which provides for detention without bail and delayed trials could lead to a violation of human rights. He told the Dewan Rakyat that detainees held under Sosma are not allowed bail under Section 13 of the Act, with some facing long delays before their trials begin.
Malay Mail
5 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Home Ministry to table Sosma amendments in August, 13 offences to be removed, says Saifuddin Nasution
KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 — Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the ministry plans to table a policy paper in August proposing amendments to the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma). He said one of the key areas under review is Section 13, particularly the issue of bailable, non-bailable and unbailable offences. 'There are currently 73 offences listed under Sosma that allow for detention. Through our engagement sessions so far, we have identified at least 13 offences that we intend to eliminate from the list of offences that permit the use of Sosma,' Saifuddin said during the winding-up session in the Dewan Rakyat today. He also added that the engagement sessions are still ongoing. Responding to suggestions by Jelutong MP RSN Rayer on whether a special court should be set up to handle Sosma cases, Saifuddin said the ministry remains open to all proposals. 'These sessions give ample space for stakeholders to present justifications and rationales. If the proposal is found to be a reasonable form of improvement, we will study it thoroughly,' he said.
Free Malaysia Today
6 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
I'm not asking to repeal Sosma, just review it, says govt MP
Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim said 34 families of Sosma detainees, many from poor backgrounds, gathered outside Parliament on Monday to submit a memorandum and seek support from MPs. 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.
The Star
14-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
College campuses under watch
Shades of red: Zambry interacting with Wanita Umno representatives after officiating the Setiawangsa Umno delegates' meeting at Residensi UTM in Kuala Lumpur. — Bernama KUALA LUMPUR: The Higher Education Ministry is actively monitoring whether there are any activities related to militant movements based on the extremist ideology of the Islamic State (IS) among students at higher learning institutions, says Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir. The Higher Education Minister said this follows the recent arrest of several individuals, including 36 Bangladeshis, suspected of being involved in the militant movement based on the IS ideology under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma). 'We are continuously monitoring the situation in collaboration with the security forces, particularly the police, to prevent the spread of such ideologies, whether originating from within the country or abroad. 'The cooperation between the ministry and the security forces has always been at a strong and effective level,' he said when met by reporters after opening the Setiawangsa Umno delegates' meeting here yesterday, Bernama reported. On June 30, Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said some of those arrested had been deported. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail had confirmed that no Malaysians were recruited into the militant network. He was reported as saying that police investigations revealed that the group's activities only involved Bangladeshis.
