SHAH ALAM, FEB 8: Voice of the Malaysian People (Suaram) urges the Federal Government to abolish the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) immediately.
Suaram Coordinator, Syukri Razab said that although the Internal Security Act (ISA) has been repealed, Malaysians are still threatened by draconian laws such as the ISA.
He said that the arrest of a former ISA detainee, Yazid Supaat and his worker, Hilmi Hasim, saw Malaysian human rights being continuously violated.
“Refusing to release the remaining 23 detainees is not enough, the government is now also allowing jungle laws such as the Safety Offences Act to tyrannise the people.
“Suaram condemns the actions of the arresting police of using laws that disregards human rights. The right to a fair defence in court is the exclusive right of every Malaysian.
“This right is also guaranteed by the Constitution and the Criminal Procedure Code, which requires the police to take the accused to court within 24 hours after being arrested to seek defence,” he said in a media statement.
In the meantime, the Abolish ISA Movement (AIM) denounced the use of the Security Offences Act because of its similarities to the ISA which was repealed last year.
AIM President, Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said that the arrest of three individuals, including a woman, became first victims to the Security Offences Act (Special Measures) yesterday.
“The three individuals were not made clear on why they were arrested. They were also detained without a warrant or prior notice from the police, who then searched their homes in search of evidence for the related charge,” he said.
He said that the method of such detention is similar to the way the police made arrests under the ISA.
“It was even worse when those arrested were not allowed to meet with lawyers or family members for up to 48 hours from the time they were arrested. This situation is different from the ISA which entitles detainees to obtain legal consultation immediately after being arrested,” he said.
Syed Ibrahim added that the method of which the arrest was made clearly showed not much difference between the new Act which replaced the old Act, in fact this Safety Offences Act violates more human rights of those arrested.
“Is this what the Prime Minister calls a transformation? Transformation from draconian laws to laws that are also tyrannical.
Yesterday, Yazid and his worker, Hilmi were detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act at the Jalan Duta High Court canteen.
The arrests were made by a group of police from Bukit Aman, led by the Investigating Officer, Inspector Mani.
Yazid and his worker were detained under Section 4 (1) of the Safety Offences Act on charges of promoting terrorism.
Yazid Sufaat is a former ISA detainee who was arrested in December 2001 and was released in December 2008. He is currently a cafeteria operator at the Jalan Duta High Court canteen.
This morning, he was charged in the Magistrate’s Court on charges of encouraging the commission of violence between 1 August to 20 October last year.
He was charged of committing the offence under Section 130G(a) of the Penal Code (Act 574) between 8.30 am to 10.30 am at DL11, Lorong Mutiara 2, Lembah Jaya Ampang, in the Ampang district of Selangor.
Also charged was Halima Hussein who was accused of conspiring with him at the same address.