KUALA LUMPUR: Ramkarpal Singh, the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), has announced that there have been a total of 12 engagement sessions regarding the proposed amendments to the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) since the formation of the unity government. These sessions have taken place within a span of five months. Ramkarpal Singh personally chaired all of these sessions with the stakeholders and will continue to do so.
He stated, “The process of amending laws takes time and this process has been started. I am confident that the proposed recommendations for amending Sosma will be taken into consideration by the government in the near future.” This statement was given to Bernama.
One of the provisions being examined is Section 4(1) of the Act, which allows the police to detain individuals believed to be involved in security offenses without a warrant. Section 4(5) further allows for the extension of this detention period to 28 days for the purpose of investigations. However, Section 4(11) states that the enforcement of Section 4(5) needs to be reviewed every five years.
On July 27, 2022, Parliament voted to extend the provision under Section 4(5) for another five-year period, effective from July 31, 2022. The vote was split, with 111 MPs in favor, 88 against, and 21 absent.
Earlier this year, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail announced that the unity government does not intend to repeal Sosma but will instead work towards amending it. This decision was made due to the Royal Malaysian Police’s requirement for the Act in order to take immediate action to prevent public alarm and threats to national sovereignty and the well-being of the people.
Recently, approximately 100 family members of 69 Sosma detainees went on a hunger strike in front of the Sungai Buloh Prison, demanding the release of the detainees and the repeal of the law. However, the hunger strike came to an end after Ramkarpal Singh met with the family members and explained the government’s stance for nearly three and a half hours.
Ramkarpal Singh clarified that the Act is not currently being discussed for repeal and the family members of the detainees have understood the government’s decision. He added that the government is diligently studying the proposed amendments to ensure that they are appropriate for the current situation.
One specific consideration is the provision that disallows bail during trial, except for cases involving individuals below 18 years old, female, elderly, or ill. Ramkarpal Singh stated, “Discussions on the policy direction are ongoing with the Home Ministry, police, and Attorney General’s Chambers.”
– Bernama
Credit: The Star : News Feed
