Plan to amend Sosma charges

> AG studying move to allow courts to grant bail to those who claim trial

KUALA LUMPUR: The attorney-general (AG), in his capacity as public prosecutor, is considering if the AttorneyGeneral’s Chambers can amend the charges against the 442 people remanded under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohamed Hanipa Maidin ( pix) said the process would take some time as it had to be done on a case-by-case basis.

“The Criminal Procedure Code (and not Sosma) will govern the procedural aspects if the charges are amended. The public prosecutor will give priority to female offenders, juveniles and sick or infirm detainees,” he said in a statement.

After the charges are amended, the detainees could plead guilty or claim trial.

In the event the detainees claim trial, they could apply for bail and the court would grant or deny the application at its discretion.

The 442 people have been remanded under Section 13 of Sosma for allegedly being members of various organised criminal groups or associating with or assisting such groups, Bernama reported.

Mohamed Hanipa also said that as of Aug 27, 22 people were on remand under Sosma for allegedly committing terrorism offences.

His statement comes in the wake of a hunger strike by several Sosma detainees at the Sungai Buloh Prison (since last Friday) and the Penang Prison (since Tuesday) aimed at calling for the government to abolish Sosma.

Mohamed Hanipa met the detainees at the Sungai Buloh Prison last Sunday to persuade them to end their hunger strike, and then consulted the AG on their remand under Sosma. He said the charges against them “is best left to be dealt with by the learned AG in accordance with his discretion pursuant to Article 145 (3) of the Federal Constitution, until the Cabinet makes a final decision in regard to Sosma”.

Meanwhile in GEORGE TOWN, Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Prof. P. Ramasamy said the AG can initiate measures to ensure detainees held under Sosma are released on bail.

... Chief Secretary to the Government Datuk Seri Ismail Bakar clocking in at Perdana Putra yesterday. He replaces Tan Sri Ali Hamsa, who had completed his contract of service.