Planned Sosma changes: Gov't looking at 28-day detention, economic sabotage

The government is looking at possible changes to the length of detention and provisions relating to economic sabotage under proposed amendments to the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012.

Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said discussion had already been ongoing for some time in line with Pakatan Harapan's promise to address Sosma's draconian elements.

Muhyiddin said he had tabled the proposals to the cabinet three months ago after consultation with various stakeholders, including the Malaysian Bar, Suhakam, Suaram, academicians and others but was told to make refinements.

"So there is now further discussions, and some provisions are being scrutinised in more detail.

"One is on the 28-day remand, many say it is too long and should be shortened, but enforcement agencies such as the police say they need more time to investigate when it involves issues of terrorism so this needs to be studied before the right decision is made.

"There are views that if this is the case, we could allow for a 14-day remand followed by an additional 14 days if they are brought to court before a judge, bringing the total to 28 days.

"That will be an example of check and balance," he told journalists at the Parliament lobby.

Muhyiddin said another aspect that is being looked at is the definition of security offences.

He noted that present, even offences such as those under Section 124L relating to attempts to commit sabotage is considered as a security offence that falls under the scope of Sosma.

The home minister pointed out that the provision was previously misused to detained Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's former political secretary Matthias Chang for political reasons.

"We want to prevent such incidents, so there are proposals to amend or abolish the provision," it said.

Sosma is a procedural law that outlines what offences under the Penal Code and other laws should fall under it, which will allow, among others, lengthier detention periods compared to normal crimes where the procedures are dealt with under the Criminal Procedure Code.

Muhyiddin said he would be submitting the proposals to the cabinet again once these provisions and other concerns have been sorted out.

He added the government would take all views into account and expects that amendments could be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat as early as March 2020. - Mkini