‘Proposed Sosma amendments to safeguard peace and public order’
The proposed amendments to the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) will allow for better implementation of the law to safeguard peace and public order, said Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
He said among the provisions that would be covered by the review was the 28-day detention period, which some consider to be too long.
“I was told the 28-day detention period under Sosma is too long, a torture. We take note of this view, but we also have to consider the opinion of the police as the enforcer of anti-terrorism laws.”
He said there were several s u g g e stions to improve this aspect of the law, including allowing a
14-day detention for investigation before applying for an extension of
14 days from the court.
“So there will be a process of checks and balances,” he said.
“What has been decided by Pakatan Harapan, including promises in the election manifesto, remains. We will not abolish Sosma. We will just amend it,” he said after visiting the Pekan Nanas police station near here yesterday.
He said engagement with stakeholders like members of parliament, the Bar Council and academicians would continue before the proposed amendments were finalised for the cabinet’s approval.
Muhyiddin had reportedly said the government was expected to table the Sosma amendments in the Dewan Rakyat in March.
He said the move was not motivated solely by recent events surrounding the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam group, but also to tackle cross-border crime and terrorism.
“We need international cooperation and we need to step up enforcement. We share information with like-minded countries (to combat terrorism).”