KUALA LUMPUR: The detention of Bersih 2.0 chair Maria Chin Abdullah under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) is in accordance with the law, said Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali.
"The detention of Maria under Section 4 of Sosma is aimed at assisting investigations by the police because she is suspected of being involved in activities that could be detrimental to parliamentary democracy," said Apandi.
He added in a statement on Friday that the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) would give the case appropriate consideration based on the outcome of the police's investigation.
Apandi also said that the AGC was concerned about public perception and the views of the people regarding Maria's detention.
He added that Sosma is a procedural law which provides for special measures pertaining to arrest, detention and investigation on security offences intended to maintain public order and security in the country.
"The AGC wishes to clarify that 'security offences' in Section 3 read together with the First Schedule of Sosma also covers, among others, offences in connection with activities that are detrimental to parliamentary democracy as provided in Section 124C of the Penal Code," said Apandi.
Maria was detained under SOSMA on the eve of last Saturday's Bersih 5.0 rally
On Nov 22, she filed a habeas corpus application at the High Court seeking her immediate release from the detention.
The court has set Nov 29 to hear the application. - Bernama
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