KUALA LUMPUR: The Home Ministry plans to amend the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) following numerous calls from rights groups to review or repeal the law.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said Putrajaya was in the final stages of reviewing Sosma and expected to complete the policy memorandum soon.
“The ministry intends to present the proposed amendments to Sosma at a parliamentary session, subject to Cabinet approval,” he said in a written parliamentary reply last night.
He said 73 offences under the security law were identified and assessed to ensure its implementation was in line with the Federal Constitution, Malaysia’s international obligations, and the principle of “due process of law.”
“The ministry has and will carry out engagement sessions with various stakeholders, including the police, Attorney-General’s Chambers, Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam), the judiciary and legislative bodies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), academics and legal experts, and other stakeholders.”
In February, Saifuddin said a committee under his ministry was reviewing the Act to safeguard individual rights.
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