PUTRAJAYA: The Cabinet has agreed that the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) should be improved, says government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil on Friday (Feb 14).
In his post-Cabinet briefing to the media, the Communications Minister said that Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution had been tasked by the Cabinet with reevaluating Sosma and identifying areas for improvement.
“As a follow-up to the issue raised during Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s Question Time on Feb 13, the Cabinet meeting discussed that the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 must be relooked at and checked again.
“The Home Minister will address the matter in Dewan Rakyat. Some of the issues with regard to the improvement of Sosma were discussed.
“The matter was raised in the Cabinet due to some of the events which have taken place recently and we want to improve the current laws,” said Fahmi.
Earlier this month, around 50 protesters, who were family members of inmates detained under Sosma, staged a hunger strike outside the Sungai Buloh Prison complex after their visitation requests were rejected.
On Feb 9, the media reported that police had opened an investigation into the gathering.
On Feb 13, the Prime Minister stated in Dewan Rakyat that Sosma is still needed as a measure against certain activities such as terrorism.
Anwar justified that the Act should remain in force as activities such as terrorism could not be taken lightly.
However, he said the regulations must be clear and not be abused for other issues.
