Muhyiddin: Cabinet to consider amending Sosma

KUALA LUMPUR: The Cabinet will be looking into amending the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma), including the maximum 28-day detention period, says Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

The Home Minister said his ministry has formed a committee to review the law, as parts of it are considered draconian and against human rights.

"Many parties believe that the 28-day detention period under the act is too long, and it is better for it to be shortened.

"However, enforcement bodies like the police told us that when it comes to terrorism, they need more time to study whether the decision made is accurate.

"Some also noted that perhaps we should allow 14 days of detention and before they can be held for another 14 days, it must be brought to court to get a judge's decision.

"This is a good example of checks and balances without giving full power to the police. However, this is just at the proposal stage," he told reporters at Parliament lobby on Wednesday (Nov 6).

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had reportedly said Pakatan Harapan will honour its long-delayed pledge to amend draconian laws as soon as possible.

The Prime Minister had said this includes amending Sosma, particularly the provision that allows detention without trial.

Muhyiddin said that another provision that the ministry was looking into was the economic sabotage offence.

"For instance, there were times that had been used against Maria Chin and lawyer Matthias Chang, and found to be part of a political decision and politically motivated.

"To ensure that such matters do not arise, there are suggestions to amend it or to fully repeal it," he said.

Muhyiddin added that such a discussion has yet to be completed at the ministerial level and was still waiting for other input before it could be brought back to the Cabinet.

"Once it is approved by the Cabinet, then only can we bring it to Parliament.

"We have yet to complete the papers, discuss in Cabinet first and perhaps early March next year or the next Parliament session," he said.

Asked to comment on a report that Malaysia is being used as a transit point for terrorist groups as visitors from Middle Eastern countries and some African nations that do not require a visa, Muhyiddin said that the ministry would not take the matter lightly.

"Whatever it is, in terms of the immigration policy, we must study it.

"So far, if any individuals enter Malaysia with passports that are not deemed problematic, they can enter easily.

"But if there are visas requirements, we need to impose it based on the current laws," he said.

Meanwhile, at a separate press conference, PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that there must be an effective balance between combating terrorism and the principle of justice in the country's security laws.