SHAH ALAM, 12 Jan: Although the BN Government does not intend to bring back the Internal Security Act (ISA); the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) should be drafted so that it does not seize the citizens’ fundamental rights.
The Vice-President of PKR, N Surendran, said that Sosma is a law that oppresses the people and it is possible that it will be used as a political tool to put pressure on the opposition.
He said that the terms contained in the Sosma, among others, allows a person to be detained without bail for years, which leads to the argument for the rejection of Sosma.
“But the Sosma enacted now can be abused against the opposition and the people. Just like the ISA. We also ask for amendments to be made to Sosma.
“Sosma is a draconian law. It allows for a person to be arrested without bail for years. It also removed the normal criminal law and the law of evidence and it seizes the people’s fundamental rights,” he told Selangor Kini.
The Member of Parliament for Padang Serai said that the former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar, both who support for the ISA to be returned, are deemed ‘traitors to the people’ in this country.
He explained that the ISA is seen as better for Barisan Nasional when facing the opposition so that important issues in the country can be kept silent.
“Their purpose is not for the good of the country, but for the good of Umno-BN. Their purpose is to use the ISA as a political tool to arrest those who are not in line with the government.
“This action is a betrayal to the people of this country because it is used to take away the fundamental rights of the people,” he said.
