PETALING JAYA, 11 Apr: The police have been asked to not use the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) throughout the 13th General Elections (GE-13) this time.
PKR Supreme Council Leader, Sivarasa Rasiah slammed the statement by Bukit Aman Legal and Prosecution Division principal assistant director, Datuk Razali Basri, who was quoted saying that he will use the act to ensure the smooth running of the GE-13 campaign.
He said that Razali’s statement shows that he was not referring to the jurisdiction of the Election Commission (EC) which will be using the Election Offences Act if there are any problems.
“References of using the SOSMA during the election process is very inappropriate,” he said in a press conference at the PKR headquarters today.
According Sivarasa, threats that the police will use the SOSMA only weakens and retards the integrity of the electoral process in the country.
He said that Razali’s statement confirms concerns of parliamentary leaders about the existence of SOSMA that only affects the country’s parliamentary democracy.
“Many common laws apart from SOSMA can be used, and it should be noted that the party that is primarily responsible is the SPR, the police only helps the running,” he added.
PKR also urges the EC to come forward to remark and make a statement to avoid confusion from arising during the upcoming GE-13.
Meanwhile, PKR Secretary-General, Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail will be sending a letter to the Chief of Police, Tan Sri Ismail Omar, to have a meeting immediately regarding the threat against PKR De Facto Leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said that he has sent a letter on 13 March to Ismail but no answer has been given thus far.
“The letter contains a request to discuss about specific matters such as assault and nuisance resulting in injury, destruction of party property and threats from Umno-BN hired thugs,” he said.