A TOTAL of 142 juveniles have been arrested under the Prevention of Crime Act (POCA), which allows the police to detain people without trial, says Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. 

In a written parliamentary reply dated October 31, Zahid, who is also home minister, said another 17 minors were arrested under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) since the law came into force. 

“No children were arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2015 (POTA),” he said. 

He was responding to a question by Klang MP Charles Santiago on the number of children arrested under Sosma, POCA and POTA. Santiago also asked about 16-year-old Ang Kian Kok, who had been detained under POCA. 

Zahid, however, said the ministry could not reveal details of Ang’s case as it was an ongoing investigation.

He said Ang was arrested on September 13. – November 7, 2017.