Release two elected representatives detained under security law

Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture (Madpet) condemns the continual use of the draconian Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) and the recent arrests of Negri Sembilan DAP deputy chairman and Seremban Jaya assembly member P Gunasekaran and Malacca state executive council member and Gadek assembly member G Saminathan.

If Sosma is used, then the police do not even have to bring those arrested before a magistrate within 24 hours to obtain a remand order to keep them in detention for further investigations.

After 24 hours, section 4(5) of Sosma states:

(5) Notwithstanding subsection (4), a police officer of or above the rank of Superintendent of Police may extend the period of detention for a period of not more than twenty-eight days, for the purpose of investigation.

Hence, there is no need to even get a magistrate’s remand order. The power for further remand is removed from the magistrate and transferred to a mere police officer.

Our Malaysian Federal Constitution in Article 5(4), states amongst others:

(4) Where a person is arrested and not released he shall without unreasonable delay, and in any case within twenty-four hours (excluding the time of any necessary journey) be produced before a magistrate and shall not be further detained in custody without the magistrate’s authority…

The Criminal Procedure Code deals with what happens after arrest if a further detention order is required by police in the following section:

(1) Whenever any person is arrested and detained in custody and it appears that the investigation cannot be completed within the period of twenty-four hours fixed by section 28 and there are grounds for believing that the accusation or information is well founded the police officer making the investigation shall immediately transmit to a Magistrate a copy of the entries in the diary hereinafter prescribed relating to the case and shall at the same time produce the accused before the Magistrate.

The arrested suspect (and/or lawyer), the public prosecutor and the police all have a right to be heard before the magistrate decides on a remand application.

However, if the police rely on Sosma, then there is no requirement for the police to bring the arrested person before a magistrate within 24 hours. The police can simply continue to detain the ‘suspect’ for any of the about 70-100 “security offences” listed now in Sosma for up to 28 days.

The requirement to bring the arrested person before a magistrate within 24 hours – along with the requirement for an application to the magistrate for further remand orders – gives the magistrate the opportunity to ensure there are no police wrongdoings and these further detentions are really needed for investigation purposes and not for some other ‘wrong’ or illegal objectives, including maybe the ‘torture’ of suspects.

It is important to note that such detention is for investigation only – not for punishment or even reasons like ‘rehabilitation’.

There was a problem before when a magistrate simply handed out remand orders for the full 14 days, the maximum amount of remand permissible. Parliament, in its wisdom, amended the act, and set the maximum remand period that a magistrate could order. Now, even for a murder suspect, the maximum remand order on first application to a magistrate is seven days.

Section 117((2) now reads as follows:

The Magistrate before whom an accused person is produced under this section may, whether he has or has no jurisdiction to try the case, authorize the detention of the accused in such custody as follows:

(a) if the offence which is being investigated is punishable with imprisonment of less than fourteen years, the detention shall not be more than four days on the first application and shall not be more than three days on the second application; or

(b) if the offence which is being investigated is punishable with death or imprisonment of fourteen years or more, the detention shall not be more than seven days on the first application and shall not be more than seven days on the second application.

Hence, the importance of the need for judicial monitoring of the police or other detaining authorities. The independent magistrate, who will also give the right to be heard to all concerned, will then decide the appropriate remand period for the purpose of investigation. If more time is needed, the police may apply again for further remand.

The police have to power to investigate without even arresting or detaining any suspect. Najib Razak, our former Prime Minister, during investigations, was never detained in police cells. This demonstrates how the Malaysian police could still proceed with investigations without resorting to remand orders and certainly not Sosma.

When the government conceded and paid now member of Parliament Maria Chin Abdullah RM25,000 in damages and RM5,000 in costs, we saw that as an acknowledgement of the evil of Sosma (The Malay Mail, 18 February 2019).

Sadly, we have not heard of other victims of Sosma being similarly compensated – which raises the question whether preferential treatment was accorded to her for being a government member of Parliament.

Those charged under the ‘security’ offences listed in Sosma are also denied bail. If one is charged with any one of the over 70-100 offences listed in Sosma, Section 13(1) states:

(1) Bail shall not be granted to a person who has been charged with a security offence.

The new Pakatan Harapan could have at least reduced the list of “security offences” to maybe the most serious ones involving violence and firearms. Now, even the possession of books is listed as “security offences”.

The offence concerning “activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy”, enacted during Najib’s Barisan Nasional rule, is vague and ought to be repealed; it is still listed as a “security offence” in Sosma.

Malaysia ought to respect justice and human rights, which also means that one is presumed innocent until proven guilty after a fair trial. This must include the needed checks and balances to prevent abuse of police powers, including:

• the right to be brought before a magistrate within 24 hours of arrest
• further remand only if the magistrate allows for it after according the right to be heard to all parties
• the right to be remanded at any one time in accordance with the limits now in the Criminal Procedure Code
• the right to bail
• the right to a fair trial

Sosma is an affront to justice and human rights, and it should be immediately repealed. Everyone arrested, charged and tried should be accorded the same rights and standards as provided for in our Criminal Procedure Code and Evidence Act.

Being elected peoples’ representatives of the ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition, the two arrested may be speedily released.

Madpet calls for the release of all detained under Sosma. Compensation should also be given to all Sosma victims.

Supporting certain people’s struggles for justice and human rights in other countries – be they the Tamils of Sri Lanka, the Rohingyas in Myanmmar or the Palestinians – should not be considered as supporting terrorism or terrorist organisations.

Malaysia needs to be careful in determining which are terrorist groups or organisations – and not just accept what governments in those countries say or what some powerful nations say are terrorists. The list of terrorist groups should be openly listed.

Support for ‘terrorist groups’ should also be confined to the purchase of firearms or supporting violence. Making donations to help the livelihoods of people, reading articles and books, and attending events, memorials and exhibitions and similar activities should never be considered as supporting terrorism. A review of all matters concerning ‘terrorism’ is something Malaysia needs to consider.

Therefore, Madpet:

• calls on the Malaysian government to immediately release P Gunasekaran, G Saminathan and all others currently arrested and detained under Sosma
• calls on Malaysia to immediately repeal Sosma
• calls on Malaysia, pending the repeal of Sosma, to immediately amend Sosma to restore the right to be brought before a magistrate within 24 hours of arrest, to restore fair hearings during remand proceedings where all have the right to be heard, to ensure that further remand is only permissible with a magistrate’s orders and to limit or reduce the list of “security offences” listed in Sosma, including repealing that vague unjust offence related to “activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy”
• calls on Malaysia to repeal detention-without-trial laws and other laws that deny the right to a fair trial or try to evade the requirements of our Criminal Procedure Code and Evidence Act
• calls on the Malaysian government, duly elected by the people, to be strong and act for the wellbeing of the people in accordance with human rights and justice – without being subservient to the wishes and views of the Malaysian police or other enforcement agencies
• calls for an immediate moratorium on the use of Sosma
• calls on Malaysia to respect human rights and justice.

Charles Hector issued this statement on behalf of Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture (Madpet).

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama

1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
2. Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme

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