Gobind: AG ‘going out on a limb’ with Sosma definition

Opposition MP says AG cannot use provisions of the law in isolation against the clear intention of Parliament when framing the law.

KUALA LUMPUR: Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo has warned in a statement that Attorney-General (AG) Mohd Apandi Ali was going out on a limb by claiming that Sosma cannot be limited to terrorism alone. “He’s wrong.”

The AG, demanded Gobind, should respect Parliament. “He cannot use provisions of the law in isolation, against the clear intention of Parliament when framing the law.”

The AG, added Gobind, cannot ignore the assurances given in Parliament during the debate before passage of the Sosma Act. “He wants to ignore these assurances and rely on the definition of ‘security offences’ which he claims makes it clear that Sosma was not limited to terrorism or terrorists.”

Gobind referred to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Nazri Aziz, giving the government’s assurances.

“It’s clear that Sosma was brought into force so as to deal with threats of terrorism and terrorist offences,” said Gobind.

“It was certainly not intended for use against ordinary Malaysians who differ in opinion with the ruling government nor those who lodge legitimate complaints, be it locally or otherwise, calling for investigations into the propriety or otherwise of the manner in which the affairs of institutions in the country are conducted.”

He urged the AG to reconsider his position in light of the debates in Parliament which led to the creation of Sosma. It would be most tragic if the AG himself, having been made aware of the intent of an Act of Parliament as expressed in the debate leading to its enactment, chooses to ignore it altogether, Gobind added.

That would be an affront to Parliament, said Gobind, the highest democratically elected law-making body in the Federation for which the AG should have the highest respect. “Parliament depends on him to enforce and not abuse those very laws which it enacts.”