TWELVE engagement sessions on the proposed amendments to the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) have been held within five months, since the formation of the unity government.

Deputy Law and Institutional Reform Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Ramkarpal Singh said he had chaired all the sessions with the stakeholders since February and would continue to do so.

“The process of amending laws takes time and this has been started. I am confident that the proposed recommendations for amending Sosma 2012 will be taken into consideration by the government in the near future,” he said.

Among the provisions being looked into is section 4(1) of the act, which allows police to detain without a warrant any person believed to be involved in security offences, with section 4(5) providing that for the purpose of investigations, the detention may be extended to 28 days.

However, section 4(11) states that the provision under section 4(5) shall be reviewed every five years to determine if its enforcement needs to be extended.

On July 27 last year, the motion to extend the provision under section 4(5) was passed by parliament for another five-year period effective July 31, 2022, with a split vote of 111 MPs in favour, 88 against and 21 absent.

In February, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the government does not intend to repeal the act but will work towards amending it.

Saifuddin said this is because the police still need the law to take immediate action to prevent public alarm as well as threats to the country’s sovereignty and well-being of the people.

On Monday, the media reported that about 100 family members of 69 detainees under Sosma had gone on a hunger strike in front of the Sungai Buloh Prison, urging the government to release the detainees and repeal the law.

However, they ended the strike yesterday after Ramkarpal met them at the site and provided an explanation for almost three and a half hours.

Ramkarpal said currently, there is no discussion on repealing the act and the detainees’ family members are clear on the government’s decision.

He said the government is earnestly studying the proposed amendments to ensure they meet current needs.

He said this is especially with regard to the provision of not allowing bail during trial, except for cases where detainees are below 18 years old, female, elderly or ill.

“Discussions on the matter’s policy direction is being held with the Home Ministry, police and Attorney General’s Chambers,” he added. – Bernama, August 3, 2023.