Gua Musang MP foxed over Maria's Sosma detention

KUALA LUMPUR: Stalwart Umno MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah (pic) is puzzled why Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria Chin Abdullah has been detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma).

"I am foxed.

"I don't know why Maria should be subjected to that law.

"It seems the wrong law has been used for the purpose," he told reporters at Parliament lobby Monday when asked to comment on Maria's detention.

Tengku Razaleigh said that based on what he is aware of, Maria had notified the authorities on the Bersih rally.

"Bersih informed the authorities that they will be holding the rally and the Constitution allows for a peaceful demonstration," he said.

Asked if he sympathised with Maria, the Gua Musang MP said he did.

Maria was detained on Friday in a pre-Bersih 5.0 sweep by police and is now being held under Sosma for up to 28 days in solitary confinement at an undisclosed location.

Earlier, in Parliament, Hanipa Maidin (Amanah-Sepang) sought a decision from Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia if he had the right under Standing Order 21(1)(a) to ask the Home Minister "a simple question".

"I just wanted to ask a simple question why Maria Chin was detained under Sosma.

"The Home Minister can give a simple reply or even say she is being detained as a terrorist," he said.

Pandikar Amin ruled that Hanipa could not ask the Home Minister the question orally without first giving written notice.