PUTRAJAYA will work towards repealing the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) as it is unfair, especially to those who die while in detention under controversial circumstances, said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad. 

The acting home minister also said that under Sosma, no court hearing is guaranteed if the government chooses to arrests someone.

“And if that person dies after being arrested, there will be no enquiry, so that even if the person arrested is murdered (while in custody), no action will be taken against the people who committed the murder.

“There will be a repeal of that law,” he told 3,000 donors during a fundraising dinner organised by the Coalition of Klang Chinese Associations at the Ideal convention centre in Shah Alam tonight. 

Dr Mahathir said the Pakatan Harapan government was committed to restoring the rule of law, which he said had been flouted during Najib Razak’s administration. 

“We have laws in this country, and they will be enforced so that the people are not oppressed by a government that does not care for the law. 

“That is essential because laws are formulated to protect the people, the business people and the ordinary people. But during Najib’s time, he ignored the law and he did anything he liked. But now, we are restoring the rule of law.”

Under Sosma, a person can be detained for a maximum of 28 days, and police can delay him access to family and legal counsel for up to 48 hours after being arrested.

In April, driving instructor Thanabalan Subramaniam, 38, died in detention 20 days after being arrested under Sosma. 

A total of 257 people have died while under police custody between 2002 to 2016, according to the Home Ministry.  

Pakatan Harapan has pledged to abolish draconian laws, including the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2015 (Pota) and the National Security Council Act 2016 (NSC). The laws, including Sosma, which replaced the Internal Security Act (ISA), was passed during the previous federal administration. – July 22, 2018.