Free 142 children detained under Poca now, gov't told

Human rights organisation Suaram has urged the government to release all children and juveniles detained without trial under the Prevention of Crime Act 1959 (Poca).

Quoting statistics obtained from parliamentary replies, Suaram executive director D Sevan said that as of 2018, some 142 Poca detainees were below the age of 18.

“When the (previous) government introduced Poca and Sosma [Security Offences (Special Measures Act)], it promised to use the laws only against hardcore criminals. How hardcore are 16 and 17-year-olds?

“If they are suspected murderers, arrest them and apply the law on them in court. Do not use Poca.

“Poca should not be used on children. If the new government is committed enough, release all of them and give them due compensation,” Sevan told a joint press conference with Suhakam at the latter's headquarters in Kuala Lumpur this morning.

According to Suaram and Suhakam, among the reasons for some of the existing Poca detentions were theft and being in a vehicle with stolen goods.

Sevan stressed that the Penal Code had sufficient provisions for such petty crimes and blamed the police for abusing their powers against children.

“The government should immediately probe investigating officers (IOs) who simply use Poca.

“Why are the police so lazy to investigate and just arrest (and detain) the children?” he asked.

[More to follow] - Mkini