PETALING JAYA: A former Universiti Malaya (UM) student who was arrested under Sosma two years ago now says the controversial security law against which she once fought could be beneficial.
Siti Noor Aishah Atam, who got into trouble for keeping reading materials promoting extremist ideologies, said Sosma, or the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012, had “its pros and cons”.
She said criminals would rejoice if the law was abolished, a promise made by Pakatan Harapan.
“Previously I agreed that Sosma should be abolished, but now I am clueless,” she told FMT in a recent interview.
Now 32, Aishah who was released from jail in December last year, is trying to adapt to a new life in Terengganu.
She made headlines two years ago when she was found guilty under Sosma as well as the Prevention of Crime Act of possessing 12 books promoting extremism, five of which were authored by al-Qaeda followers and one by Osama bin Laden.
Aishah said then that the books were for research for her master’s degree in Islamic Studies, an excuse dismissed by the court.
Aishah is currently a health consultant at a private company in Terengganu.
“I waited for the controversy about me to taper down. Only then did I pluck up the courage to go out and apply for jobs,” she said, adding that she was careful not to let her identity create problems for her.
“They only know me as Aishah.
“My focus now is to work and become financially stable. Once I have achieved that, I will think about pursuing my studies. I am not that young anymore.”
The Kuala Lumpur High Court sentenced Aishah to five years’ imprisonment but her jail term was later reduced to three years.
Aishah was also dismissed by UM for failure to attend classes.
She is now determined to leave the past behind.
“Insha Allah, I will succeed. I just need to think positively. If I keep harbouring negative thoughts, I won’t be able to move on,” she said.- FMT
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