The number of arrests and detentions under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) last year was the highest in the last five years, Suaram said.
According to the group's Human Rights Report 2023 released today, a total of 3,220 cases were reported in 2023 - a marked jump from the last five years, which averaged below 1,000 cases.
The majority of the arrests/detentions (3,209) last year were for trafficking/immigration offences, while the remaining 11 were for organised crime.
Suaram noted that the numbers were significantly higher than the cases reported in the last five years. In 2022, a mere 116 cases were reported, while in 2021, there were 146 arrests/detentions.
“The number was considerably higher in 2020 (828), while in 2019, there were 123 arrests/detentions.
"At a glance, investigations, arrests, detentions and charges under Sosma last year broadly mirror post-2019 trend, in that Sosma has been predominantly used to address trafficking, and significantly lesser or none at all for terrorism-related activities," reads the report.
“The arrest and investigations of 3,154 ‘illegal immigrants’ of various nationalities by the Immigration Department from January to mid-September 2023 under the Immigration Act 1959/63, Sosma and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (Atipsom) 2007 is especially noteworthy.”
Suaram also noted in the report that there has been a "significant regression" in freedom of expression, with the continued enforcement of the Sedition Act 1948, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
According to the report, the mention of cases under the Sedition Act increased by a whopping 65 percent between 2022 and 2023.
Why continue with draconian laws?
Meanwhile, Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy, in his opening speech at the event to unveil the report, slammed "reformist" Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for continuing the use of draconian laws.
"The government is still implementing laws, policies, and mindsets inherited from the previous administrations.
"Draconian laws passed before Suaram came into being, such as the Sedition Act, the Printing Presses and Publication Act 1984, and the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985, are still in place to this day.
"Issues that some members of the current government, including Anwar, used to champion when they were in the opposition, has seen stagnant progress, and in some cases, even regressions,” he added.
Aside from the failure to abolish Sosma, Sevan also slammed the Anwar administration for not empowering the Independent Police Conduct Commission (IPCC), as contained in Pakatan Harapan's manifesto for the 15th general election.
He also mentioned the Anwar administration's pledge to amend certain provisions in the University and University College Act 1971 (Auku).
"These amendments are still problematic as they do not address the fundamental issues of executive interference in university administration.”
60-year wait
Sevan then acknowledged the government's decision to drop the Home Ministry's proposal to amend the Federal Constitution in regards to citizenship but said that such a "cruel proposal" should have never surfaced in the first place.
“We recognise that reforms need time but we should not need to wait for another 60 years to see reforms come to reality.”
He added that the government should remain true to its reform course, and in the current political climate, there were no excuses not to do so.
In a question and answer session later, Sevan told lawyer Andrew Khoo that the police practise double standards when allowing public assemblies.
He noted the alleged mild treatment accorded to pro-Palestine rallies, as opposed to the reaction given to other rallies for rights, among others. - Mkini
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