Muhammad Shafee supports abolishment of Sosma

PETALING JAYA: Prominent lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah (pic) has supported the abolishment of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) as it is "draconian" and a rare legislation that robs the courts of its judicial powers.

"Of course I support the abolishment of Sosma as it is a draconian legislation with no safeguards against police abuses and brutality and has given the police a Carte Blancs to indulge in corrupt practices on a large scale," he said in response to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's announcement to abolish the law.

On Sunday (July 22), the Prime Minister said the Government would repeal laws that are oppressive, especially Sosma, which allows for detention without trial.

Muhammad Shafee said in a statement Monday (July 23) that Sosma is also one of the rarest legislation "that attempts to rob away judicial power from the courts by not allowing bails to accused persons unless consented to by the prosecution".

"Since when the prosecution controls the judiciary? We are the only lawyers that have challenged the constitutionality of Sosma in many respects including the very premise of its existence," he added.

Muhammad Shafee said unfortunately the Court of Appeal was taking too long for the matter to be heard and moved to the Federal Court to decide on the matter.

"Ironically, when we challenged Sosma that way, none of the practising lawyers in the current Government shared our view. I am glad the Prime Minister, a non-lawyer sees the injustice brought about by this Act. Even the Attorney General's Chambers did not see this and supported such a backward and uncivilised legislation.

"I am looking forward for more compliance with human rights and more humanisations of our criminal justice system through our legislations that have been long overdue," Muhammad Shafee added.