KUALA LUMPUR: A motion that will extend the detention period of suspects under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) has been tabled again for second reading in Parliament on Tuesday (July 26) afternoon.
The motion was tabled by Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (pic) in Parliament after Oral Question Time.
Hamzah, during his speech when tabling the Bill, explained the importance of the amendments that would see an extension to the detention period of suspects.
Hamzah said a longer detention period was necessary as there would be enough time for the police to complete their investigations.
"Investigations involving security offences, particularly terrorism and organised crime are very complex and it requires time to complete, particularly obtaining evidence and statements, including tracking down accomplices," said Hamzah.
Hamzah said under Sosma’s subsection 4(3), it was stated clearly that no one would be arrested under this act for political beliefs.
"But, this doesn’t mean that a politician is immune from probes under Sosma.
"If any MP, including myself, had committed security offences, then action can be taken under Sosma," said Hamzah.
At the same time, Hamzah said the 28-day detention period was important as the police needed the time frame to convince witnesses in giving statements.
Hamzah acknowledged that there were views that the police can detain hardened criminals under the Criminal Procedural Code (KTJ) instead of Sosma.
He argued that investigations can be compromised if suspects were detained under KTJ, due to present shortcomings in KTJ.
"The probability of detainees communicating with others is very high and it could undermine the investigation processes, such as the chain of evidence and the police efforts to arrest other remaining suspects are at large, as well as a security risk on witnesses of cases," he said.
At the same time, Hamzah said when the proposed extension of Sosma was rejected in Parliament in March, organised crime continued to take place, citing several examples.
"The shooting incident in Sungai Petani where the dead suspect was wanted by the police for being suspected to be involved in organised crime and drugs.
"Besides that, another man who was a witness to a murder case was hacked till death in Klang.
"These were just a fraction of examples where criminals are still free and committing crime without any fear," added Hamzah.
Hamzah said justice must be viewed in a wider context and assured that those detained under Sosma would not be deprived of their rights.
"Justice must be viewed in a wider context, as the security of the nation and the people must be prioritised," added Hamzah.
MPs in the House will debate the Bill before it is passed in the House later Tuesday (July 26).
The five-year limit for the provision ends on July 31, 2022.
On March 23, a motion by Hamzah to extend the subsection in Sosma for another five years beginning July 31 this year was defeated after it was put to a bloc vote following a heated debate.
The bloc voting saw 84 MPs voting for and 86 against, while 50 MPs were absent.
