‘Get feedback before repealing Sosma’
KUALA LUMPUR: The government should gather feedback from the police and other stakeholders to ensure that the abolishment of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) will not cause an increase in crime and terrorist activities.
Citing the Internal Security Act (ISA), Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) senior vicepresident Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said there was a significant increase in crime after it was repealed in 2012, following the release of detainees under the act.
“Among the parties that need to be consulted are law enforcement agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) involved in fighting crime and protecting human rights.
“While we fight for the human rights and the rights of those detained, it is equally important that we protect the rights of the crime victims,” he said yesterday.
However, Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) welcomed the announcement by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Its executive director, Sevan Doraisamy, said since Sosma was implemented in July 2012, more than 1,600 people had been detained under the act.
He said despite assurance by the previous government, there were cases of former ISA detainees being deprived of a fair trial.
“Suaram has recorded numerous cases of persecution against detainees’ families. It is something that is unforgivable when detainees were denied the rights to a fair trial, especially in a country that upholds the sovereignty of the law,” he said.
Sevan said the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) and remand proceedings should be conducted under the supervision of the judicial system instead of the police, as enforced under Sosma.
“There were many cases investigated under chapter six and seven (offences against the state and offences relating to the armed forces) of the Penal Code; and Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom) Act 2007 during the six-year period Sosma was enforced.”
He claimed Sosma was being used to detain a person while denying the rights to communicate with others, except through the police in recorded statements, which were allegedly done under coercion.