Suhakam calls on Home Ministry to submit report on Sosma application to Parliament

PETALING JAYA: The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has called on the Home Ministry to submit a detailed report on the application of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) annually to Parliament.
Its chairman Tan Sri Razali Ismail said while Suhakam remains steadfast in its position and cannot agree to detention without trial, the proposal was made in the interest of transparency.
"Suhakam takes note of the extension for a further five years of Sosma that allows for preventive detention.
"While we acknowledge that Sosma was created pursuant to the special powers under Article 149 of the Federal Constitution, such laws must be subject to proper checks and balances with every case of preventive detention being subject to judicial oversight," he said.
During a meeting with the Home Ministry on March 29, Razali said Suhakam had asserted the rights to a fair trial and due process cannot be limited due to the extension of the law for another five years.
"Recalling the speech by the Prime Minister during the second reading of Sosma in Parliament on April 16, 2012, several safeguards were mentioned including the creation of an Administrative Committee to review Sosma and its enforcement as well as to provide recommendations for improvement," he said.
Stating that apart from government agencies, the Bar Council president and Suhakam will be included as members in the proposed committee, Razali said the promise has yet to be implemented.
"Suhakam holds the view that if such exceptional powers are to command public consent, it is important that they be confined to their intended purpose," he added.
The enforcement of the Sosma has been extended for another five years at the Dewan Rakyat, today.
The extension to the Act was allowed after it was passed with a bloc vote of 93 MPs supporting the motion while 77 rejected it.
The five-year extension term will begin from July 31.