Changing circumstances make Sosma detentions necessary, says PM

SM Amin SM Amin Updated 6 years ago · Published on 15 Oct 2019 12:25PM · 2 Comments

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad says Pakatan Harapan politicians must understand that police had a reason for using Sosma. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, October 15, 2019.

THE changing situation in the country has compelled police to use the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) to fight terror, said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The prime minister said Pakatan Harapan politicians must understand why the police had to use Sosma.

He said the pact had opposed and wanted to abolish the preventive detention law,  but the situation has changed and the government had to take measures to stop terror.

“The situation has changed. We are not just simply arresting people for no reason. There is a reason, and I have received an explanation from police on the reasons, and I am satisfied with the police explanation,” he said today. 

Dr Mahathir’s comments come as police detain 12 people, including two DAP lawmakers, over alleged links to defunct Sri Lankan terror group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

On Thursday, DAP’s Gadek assemblyman G. Saminathan, who is also a Malacca executive councillor, and Seremban Jaya assemblyman P. Gunasekaran, were among the first batch of seven people detained.

Another five were arrested on Saturday, bringing the total to 12.

The arrests took place in Malacca, Negri Sembilan, Selangor, Perak, Kedah, Penang and Kuala Lumpur.

Sosma for allows detention for up to 28 days without a charge.

Yesterday, Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy said Dr Mahathir’s defence of the detention was a bitter pill to swallow, as PH had opposed any detention without trial.

“If Ramasamy is not happy, then he is not happy. The fact remains that this has happened and there is a reason why it has happened,” Dr Mahathir said today in response to the DAP stalwarts remarks. – October 15, 2019.


 

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Comments

  • The only thing that keeps changing are the u - turns that you make. And you want the people to swallow that , and keep cheering you at the same time.
    Fuyoh!

    Posted 6 years ago by Rock Hensem · Reply

  • By simply saying 'changing circumstances" in defence from using this draconian legislation -we an educated Malaysian public are expected to believe and understand. As a public servant you work for Malaysians. You and your cabinet are accountable to let us know "what are the changing circumstance" . Earlier you say that the PH manifesto is not something written in stone....now we know it was written in water. Pusing2, U-Turns. This is not acceptable. Today you arrest these guys, tomorrow you will arrest journalists, opposition members and Malaysian citizens on the street for speaking up. Let us know why these individuals have been arrested like Operation Lallang?

    Posted 6 years ago by Magnolia Chan · Reply