KUALA LUMPUR: The motion to extend the detention period of suspects under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) was passed in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (July 26) after it was put for a bloc vote.
A total of 111 MPs voted in support of the Bill while 88 MPs voted against and 21 were absent.
Nga Kor Ming (PH-Teluk Intan) asked for the motion to be put for a bloc vote after more than 15 MPs supported the call.
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The motion tabled by Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin saw strong objection from the Opposition bench.
Hamzah in his winding up speech on the Bill said that it will take time to investigate bigger cases.
He said the change of evidence that can happen during the remand period will further complicate the process.
“For cases of gangsterism, it is difficult for us to nab the bosses, if we don’t have those working for them as witnesses. Sometimes, it takes one to two weeks to convince them to be a witness,” he said.
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Hamzah added that the Bill is not “cruel” if one is aware that the procedure is more important in the interest of the country.
“It is unfair to say that those nabbed are oppressed when we know they are in the wrong,” he added.
Earlier, the House experienced a fiery moment when Mohamad Hanipa Maidin (PH-Sepang) interjected and labelled Hamzah as "goblok" (imbecile) and "bodoh" (stupid).
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Hamzah was visibly taken aback, and Speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun, who was chairing the session, said he will be issuing a final warning to MPs in the House against using such language.
Several MPs demanded Hanipa to retract his words, but Hamzah said there wasn’t a need to do so, as such uncouth behaviour displayed in Parliament will be witnessed by Malaysians who will be voting in the upcoming national polls.
"That is why we should reject him (Hanipa) beginning today and God-willing, Malaysians will realise that this man cannot be given a place in this noble House," added Hamzah.
The law under Sosma is enforceable for a five-year period which requires the nod from Dewan Rakyat to extend it another five years.
Last Wednesday (July 20), the House passed a Bill to revoke its earlier decision not to extend Sosma.
This was done as a Bill, which was defeated, cannot be retabled again until a full year has passed unless revoked.
During the previous Dewan Rakyat meeting on March 23, the motion to extend the enforcement of subsection 4(5) of Sosma which allows for the detention of suspects for up to 28 days without trial, was voted down by MPs.
The five-year limit for the provision ends on July 31, 2022.
Hamzah in his winding up speech on the Bill said that it will take time to investigate bigger cases.
He said the change of evidence that can happen during the remand period will further complicate the process.
“For cases of gangsterism, it is difficult for us to nab the bosses, if we don’t have those working for them as witnesses. Sometimes, it takes one to two weeks to convince them to be a witness,” he said.
Hamzah added that the Bill is not “cruel” if one is aware that the procedure is more important in the interest of the country.
“It is unfair to say that those nabbed are oppressed when we know they are in the wrong,” he added.
Earlier, the House experienced a fiery moment when Mohamad Hanipa Maidin (PH-Sepang) interjected and labelled Hamzah as "goblok" (imbecile) and "bodoh" (stupid).
Hamzah was visibly taken aback, and Speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun, who was chairing the session, said he will be issuing a final warning to MPs in the House against using such language.
Several MPs demanded Hanipa to retract his words, but Hamzah said there isn't a need to, as such an uncouth behaviour displayed in Parliament will be witnessed by Malaysians who will be voting in the upcoming national polls.
"That is why we should reject him (Hanipa) beginning today and God-willing, Malaysians will realise that this man cannot be given a place in this noble House," added Hamzah.
The law under Sosma is enforceable for a five-year period which requires the nod from Dewan Rakyat to extend it another five years.
The current five-year limit for Sosma ends this coming July 31.
Last Wednesday (July 20), the House passed a Bill to revoke its earlier decision not to extend Sosma.
This was done as a Bill, which was defeated, cannot be retabled again until a full year has passed unless revoked.