MCA Wanita wants police to explain detention under Sosma

PETALING JAYA: Wanita MCA wants police to explain why Bersih 2.0 leader Maria Chin Abdullah is being detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).

Its chief, Datuk Heng Seai Kie, said the police must justify the use of Sosma and whether it was the appropriate legislation to use.

“I and all of Wanita MCA are wondering why this legislation was used, so I think the police should justify it to the public,” she said.

“What is the reason for Maria Chin to be arrested under Sosma?” she asked at a press conference yesterday.

Heng said the police must have a “solid reason” for arresting Maria Chin under Sosma.

She pointed out that only Maria Chin was detained under Sosma after the Bersih 5 rally last Saturday.

The Wanita MCA chief said she hoped Maria Chin would be released soon if she was proven innocent.

Maria Chin was also detained under Section 124C of the Penal Code that involves activities deemed detrimental to parliamentary democracy.

Meanwhile, an online petition on ipetition.com against the use of Sosma on Maria Chin and demanding her unconditional release has gained more than 29,000 signatures since Monday.

“When tabling the bill in Parliament in 2011, the government assured and promised Malaysians repeatedly that Sosma will not be used on the basis of differences in political ideology.”

... PKR president Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail handing a memorandum to ASP Nor Azman Yusof after leading 30 MPs on a march to Bukit Aman yesterday to protest the abuse of Sosma.

... Red Shirts leader Datuk Seri Jamal Yunos (right) being embraced by a supporter on his release on police bail yesterday. Jamal said he plans to launch 'Bersih 7' to clean up the Pakatan Harapan government in Selangor.