Ex-cop fights to clear her name after caught in Sosma dragnet

Former policewoman Jusninawati Abdul Ghani was detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) but her family believes that she is merely a victim of circumstances.

Initially unrepresented when she was charged under Section 130M of the Penal Code for withholding information on terrorist activities last month, the National Oversight and Whistleblowers (NOW) and a team of lawyers have agreed to defend her in her case.

Admitting that his anti-corruption NGO rarely undertook such cases, NOW executive director Rafizi Ramli said the NGO changed its mind after he was approached by Jusninawati’s family on the matter and after receiving feedback from lawyers over society's indifference towards Sosma cases.

“That's why although it is not the norm for us, NOW decided to take up the case and start a campaign to give more attention to Sosma cases,” he said at a press conference at the NGO’s headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.

Based on Rafizi’s interviews with the 35-year-old’s family, his checks on her Facebook page as well as lawyer Nik Zarith Nik Moustpha’s visit to see Jusninawati, they found that the single mother, apart from being a policewoman, also sold coffee and children’s apparel online.

After dealing with her coffee supplier for nearly a year, Jusninawati decided to visit the supplier in Kedah.

“In Kedah, Jusninawati went with her friend to a wedding and took pictures with the guests. One of the acquaintances, whom Jusninawati did not even know, has been detained under Sosma.

“As a result of the investigations on the detainee, others, including Jusninawati and a 16-year-old were detained.”

Jusninawati’s case, therefore, is a clear example of “being at the wrong place at the wrong time”, said Rafizi.

The lawmaker, meanwhile, lamented that the country’s leadership from both sides of the political divide has overlooked real issues that affect the average person in the street due to the ever occurring political developments.

“One side issue is the widespread use of Sosma. That, if left unchecked and unscrutinised, in our opinion, carries a big risk of abuse in the future,” he said.

Biggest risk

The Pandan MP added that there has been a lack of check and balance when it comes to cases related to Sosma as the public does not give attention to it.

“(So) of course it can be rushed through. My fear is that Sosma can be used with impunity.

“This is the biggest risk in the society now – that we may be in collusion if there has been or there will be abuses of Sosma.”

Detainees under Sosma, he added, have been stigmatised due to the perception that they are terrorists.

“Obviously this will allow Sosma to be used with impunity, today under the pretext of (terror group) Islamic State (IS). Those who look pious would be accused of being involved in it.”

Jusninawati, although a police officer, projects a pious image with her tudung labuh (big scarf). This is the reason why Rafizi thinks she might have been victimised.

Meanwhile, Nik Zarith stressed that not all detainees under Sosma are guilty.

“There should not be a stigma that those charged under Sosma as terrorists,” he said.

Nik Zarith as well as fellow lawyer Saiful Izham Ramli have agreed to represent Jusninawati. Both lawyers have previously offered their pro bono services to other detainees under Sosma.

Their client Jusninawati had initially pleaded guilty to the offence.

This, said Rafizi, was the norm, citing how 90 percent of detainees would plead guilty most of the time.

The former police officer’s case was fixed for mention on May 24. -Mkini