AG checking if charges can be amended

‘Process for 442 detainees under Sosma to be handled case-by-case’

KUALA LUMPUR: The Attorney General (AG) is checking if the charges against the 442 being remanded under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) can be amended.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohamed Hanipa Maidin, who disclosed this yesterday, said the process would take some time as it has to be handled on a case-by-case basis.

“The Criminal Procedure Code will govern the procedural aspects if the charges are to be amended. The AG, as the Public Prosecutor, will give priority to female offenders and juveniles, and sick or infirm detainees,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Mohamed Hanipa said following the amendments, the detainees could plead guilty or claim trial to the charges.

He said if the detainees claimed trial to the amended charge or charges, they could apply for bail and the court would have the discretion on this.

The 442 were remanded under Section 13 of Sosma for allegedly being members of organised criminal groups or consorting with or assisting such groups.

Mohamed Hanipa also said that as of Aug 27, 22 people were remanded under Sosma for allegedterror offences.

His statement follows a hunger strike by several Sosma detainees at the Sungai Buloh Prison and the Penang Prison to push for Sosma to be abolished. Mohamed Hanipa said he met the Sosma detainees at the Sungai Buloh Prison on Sunday to coax them to end their hunger strike, and then consulted the AG over their remand. — Bernama