A government backbencher has urged Putrajaya to review the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma), saying that its provisions for detention without bail and delayed trials amount to a violation of human rights.
Hassan Karim (PH–Pasir Gudang) told the Dewan Rakyat that detainees held under Sosma are not allowed bail under Section 13 of the law, with some facing long delays before their trials begin.
He shared that on Monday, 34 families of Sosma detainees had gathered outside Parliament to hand over a memorandum and seek support from MPs.
“They are not from privileged backgrounds; they are struggling. I saw their faces, and I could see their suffering.
“They came to meet MPs because they know it was Parliament that made this unfair law,” he said during the debate on the 2023 Annual Report and Financial Statement of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam).
He said the detainees were detained in May 2024, but their trial is only scheduled for 2028.
“Even if there’s an appeal, the earliest trial date is in 2026. This means these 34 detainees will be under remand for at least two years before their trial begins,” he said.
“They were later charged under Section 130B(1) of the Penal Code, which carries a prison sentence of between five and 20 years if convicted.”
Hassan stressed that he was not calling for Sosma to be repealed, but for a review that includes input from the police, Bar Council, NGOs and the families of detainees.
“We are a Madani government, and if we detain someone for two years in prison without the right to bail, this goes against the philosophy of Madani. It is cruel,” he said.
He also reminded MPs that Sosma was enacted by Parliament, not by the police.
“So to all MPs, it is our hands that bear the burden of this injustice. I am not asking for Sosma to be abolished completely.
“Just bring it to the Cabinet and review it. If it needs to be amended, then amend it,” he said.
