Retired cops backs govt's decision to retain security laws

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Retired Senior Police Officers Association (Respa) says it fully supports the government’s stand on retaining current security laws.

Its president Tan Sri Ismail Che Rus said laws such as the Security Measures (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma), Prevention of Crime Act (Poca) and Prevention of Terrorism Act (Pota) were needed to safeguard the country’s security.

“They are also needed to prevent undesirable elements such as terrorist groups, hardcore criminals and gangsters who endanger the well-being of the country and the citizens.

“Therefore, any proposal to amend such laws must take into serious consideration the potential and long-term security ramification of the country’s internal and external threats,” he said in a statement Monday.

Ismail was commenting on Bar Council president George Varughese’s statement that they were shocked by Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s announcement last month that the government has decided to retain these security laws.

The Malaysian Bar was also dismayed over Muhyiddin’s assertion that without Sosma, terrorists and criminals would be free to threaten national security and that “things are also still under control with two other security acts Poca and Pota”.

Ismail said Respa on the other hand, welcomed Muhyiddin’s announcement that the three laws would be retained.

“His announcement was timely as such laws are still needed,” he said.

Sosma and Poca were among the laws that Pakatan Harapan had described as “oppressive” and “tyrannical” in its election manifesto for the 14th general election.

In that manifesto, it had pledged to revoke Poca and abolish the draconian provisions in Sosma.