Stop Mistreatment Of Sosma Detainees

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On Feb 12, the police visited Suaram’s office. Its executive director Sevan Doraisamy was requested to go to Putrajaya police station to be investigated under Section 111 of the Penal Code in connection with the Feb 11 protest at the Home Ministry’s Putrajaya office.
The protest was due to a hunger strike by the families of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) detainees, which started three days ago.
They were protesting the suspension of their visitation on Saturday (Feb 8), where no reason was given by the Sungai Buloh Prison.
Three days ago, the families ended their hunger strike because of a promise made by a Sungai Buloh Prison assistant superintendent that there would be a meeting with the Home Ministry on Feb 11.
Upon arrival at the ministry’s office on Feb 11, they were denied entry and informed that there was no meeting scheduled. A PR officer offered to take the memorandum but the families refused.
Eventually, after more than four hours, the families and civil society forced their way to the office to hand over the memorandum.
Suaram executive director Sevan DoraisamyTheir demands were simple. Resumed visitation and review Sosma, which the home minister promised publicly to do in 2022.
Twenty-eight Sosma detainees had also gone on hunger strike in protest over the long delay in their court case hearing. Most of them were arrested and detained in 2024 but their case could only be heard in 2028.
Take responsibility
Part 2 Section 4 of Sosma states that the police had the power to detain the detainee for up to 28 days for investigation. Section 5 states that a police officer of or above the rank of superintendent may extend the period of detention for not more than 28 days, for the purpose of investigation.
However, it is now coming up to almost a year and yet there was no decision made by the police if the detainees could be released on bail with an electronic monitoring device, pending their court hearing (Section 6).
It is time for the Home Ministry to take responsibility and be accountable for the treatment of the Sosma detainees. There had been too many reports and protests by detainees of poor treatment and long delays in their court hearings. Such abuse of the procedure must end.
The Madani government can lead and initiate a fair review of Sosma and assess its necessity. The prime minister, as a former detainee and had met with some of the detainees, will understand the plight that they go through. Prison reforms and repeal of Sosma are some actions that need to be taken immediately.
For now, stop the mistreatment of the detainees, allow for immediate court hearings and allow the families their visitations. As Parliament is in session, MPs and the cabinet can begin the discussion to end these undemocratic procedures and legislations. - Mkini
Signed by:
1. Ong Kian Ming, former MP and former deputy minister.
2. Khalid Abdul Samad, former MP and former minister.
3. Kasthuri Patto, former MP and DAP deputy secretary for international affairs.
4. Amin Ahmad, former MP and member of Asean Parliamentarian for Human Rights.
5. Maria Chin Abdullah, former MP.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKTT.

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