Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. - Filepic/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 140 detainees under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) have been set free so far, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The Home Minister said those released were from the 624 individuals detained under Sosma in 2022.
"Of those detained, 71 were charged in court, a total of 401 were sentenced, 140 were released and 12 persons are still under investigations," he said in a written reply to a question raised by Chow Yu Hui (PH-Raub) in Dewan Rakyat on Monday (March 6).
Chow wanted to know the number of those detained under Sosma and the breakdown of their race and age.
He also wanted to know the numbers of those detained under the Prevention of Crime Act (Poca) and the Prevention of Terrorism Act (Pota).
Last month, Saifuddin, in a written reply to RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong), said that Sosma is still a relevant law to maintain national security and allows the police to take immediate action to avoid any threats to national sovereignty and harmony.
In December last year, Saifuddin said the government had no intention of reviewing Sosma, which provides for preventive detention of up to 28 days.
Repealing Sosma was not among the pledges listed in Pakatan Harapan’s GE15 election manifesto.
Several DAP leaders had previously criticised Sosma as having draconian provisions.
Meanwhile, Saifuddin said that those detained under Sosma last year were between 18 and 69 years old and included 247 Malays, 83 Chinese, 89 Indians, 47 of other races and 158 foreigners.
On Poca, Saifuddin said that 132 individuals were detained, of which 67 were Malays, 13 Chinese, 38 Indians, 13 of other races and one foreigner.
He said those detained were between 19 and 59 years old.
Poca, which was amended in 2015, is a preventative law to deal with criminals, particularly members of secret societies, terrorists and other undesirable persons.
Saifuddin said that only one individual, a Malay, was detained under Pota and is currently under a detention order.
Pota, passed in April 2015, came into effect the same year to allow authorities to take action against Malaysians suspected of being involved with the Islamic State or other terrorist organisations.
To a written question by Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan (PN-Tasek Gelugor), Saifuddin said that as of Jan 30 this year, 195 individuals were detained under Sosma and are currently undergoing trial.
Of this total, 46 were for smuggling and human trafficking, two for elements of terrorism and 147 for organised crime under the Penal Code.
He assured Wan Saiful that the government is committed towards improving Sosma although there are no plans to abolish the law.
