Sosma worse than ISA and needs to be reviewed, says Anwar

– Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: The Security Offenses (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) 2012 should be reviewed to ensure that it does not trample the rights of detainees, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The PKR president-elect on Sunday (Aug 26), commenting on a recently-ended hunger strike by 160 Sosma detainees in the Sungai Buloh prison, said that he would bring this matter up with the Home Minister.

While supporting tough laws against terrorism, Anwar said that Sosma must not be used to deny detainees basic rights.

“I do not condone violence, terrorism or criminal acts. We must be tough and firm but we must respect due process.

"From what I observe, Sosma is far worse in terms of treating prisoners than the ISA," he said during the launch of a book "Anwar Returns: The Final Twist", written by Australian Queen's Counsel Mark Trowell.

The 160 detainees had gone on a hunger strike on Saturday (Aug 25) to compel the government to repeal Sosma.

However, the strike was called off after Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohamed Hanipa Maidin said an agreement was reached following a two-hour meeting with representatives of the detainees.