KUALA LUMPUR: The government is working to amend the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma), focusing on sections 13 and 30 on bail and prolonged detention.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the cabinet has agreed to the amendments on a policy level, to be tabled in July or August this year.
"I tabled a Cabinet paper last Friday seeking the Cabinet's agreement for the Home Ministry to begin amendments to the Sosma in Parliament.
"We have since been given policy approval by the cabinet.
"The Home Ministry will carry out engagement sessions, studies and discussions, with the hope that the amendment Bill can be tabled in this House during the July or August sitting," he said in his winding-up speech of the motion of thanks for the Royal Address in the Dewan Rakyat today.
The government plans to classify the 73 offences under Sosma according to severity in deciding who may be granted bail.
"We will classify offences according to their level of seriousness. For offences that carry heavy prison sentences — for example 20 or 30 years — we are inclined to propose that there be no bail within the prescribed period.
"However, for offences with much lighter punishments, the determination of whether bail should be granted can be made by a Magistrate or may be proposed by the Deputy Public Prosecutor," he added.
Putrajaya also intends to establish a special court for Sosma cases to improve efficiency.
"We want to speed up the process because one of the harshest criticisms of Sosma is that when not granted bail pending proceedings, the wait is considered a punishment itself," he said. Saifuddin said he has also held preliminary discussions with William Leong Jee Keen (PH-Selayang) and will engage a Parliamentary Select Committee on the matter. - NST
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.