Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) welcomes the Ministry of Home Affairs’ commitment to reviewing key aspects of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) and the establishment of a special committee to refine the proposed amendments.
We, however, emphasise that the Sosma amendments must be tabled in the July parliamentary sitting without postponement.
For a balanced and rights-based approach, it is crucial that the special committee includes critical non-government stakeholders – such as civil society groups and criminologists – alongside ministry representatives and law enforcement.
Limiting discussions to security agencies alone risks leaving unaddressed the serious violations, enabled by Sosma, of the right to a fair trial.
As the special committee deliberates on the proposed amendments, the rights of detainees must remain a primary consideration.
For the establishment of a special Sosma court as a critical measure to address case backlogs, for instance, a review of due process safeguards, including evidential standards, can be concurrently undertaken to ensure that fair trial rights are strengthened for detainees.
Suaram looks forward to concrete steps from the ministry to ensure an inclusive, timely and transparent Sosma review process, leading to meaningful amendments tabled by the July parliamentary sitting.
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The government’s early efforts in 2023 to consult multi-sectoral stakeholders about the Sosma amendments were a crucial step forward. The momentum that was recently regained must now be translated into decisive action. – Suaram
Sevan Doraisamy is the executive director of Suaram.
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
