On the morning of 12 February, Suaran’s office was visited by the police.
Sevan Doraisamy, Suaram’s executive director, was requested to go to the Putrajaya Police station to be investigated under Section 111 of the Penal Code in connection with a 11 February 2025 protest at the Putrajaya office of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA).
The protest was due to a hunger strike by the families of Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) detainees, which started four days ago. They were protesting against the suspension of their visitation on Saturday, 8 February, where no reason was given by the Sungai Buloh Prison.
Four days ago, the families ended their hunger strike because of a promise made by Vishnu, the assistant superintendent of the Sungai Buloh Prison, that there would be a meeting with the ministry on 11 February.
Upon arrival at the MoHA office on 11 February, they were denied entry and informed that there was no meeting scheduled. A ministry PR officer offered to take the memorandum but was refused by the families. Eventually, after over four hours, the families and civil society forced their way to the ministry’s office to hand over the memorandum.
- Sign up for Aliran's free daily email updates or weekly newsletters or both
- Make a one-off donation to Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara, CIMB a/c 8004240948
- Make a pledge or schedule an auto donation to Aliran every month or every quarter
- Become an Aliran member
Their demands were simple: a resumption of visitation and a review of Sosma, which the home affairs minister had promised publicly to do in 2022.
Twenty-eight Sosma detainees had also gone on hunger strike in protest over the long delay in the hearing of their court case hearing. Most of them were arrested and detained in 2024, but their hearing can only be heard in 2028.
Part 2 Section 4 of Sosma states that the police have the powers to detain the detainee up to a period of 28 days for investigation.
Section 5 states that a police officer of or above the rank of superintendent may extend the period of detention for a period of not more than 28 days for the purpose of investigation.
However, it is now coming up to almost a year, and yet there was no decision made by the police if the detainees could be released on bail with an electronic monitoring device, pending their court hearing (Section 6).
It is time for the MoHA to take responsibility and be accountable for the treatment of Sosma detainees.
There had been too many reports and protests by detainees of poor treatment and long delays in their court hearings. Such abuse of the procedure must end.
“Malaysia Madani” (civil and compassionate Malaysia) can lead and initiate a fair review of Sosma and assess its necessity.
The prime minister, as a former detainee who had met some of the Sosma detainees, will understand the plight that they go through.
Prison reforms and a repeal of Sosma are some actions that need to be taken immediately.
For now, stop the mistreatment of the detainees, allow for immediate court hearings and allow the families their visitations.
As Parliament is sitting, MPs and the cabinet can begin the discussion to end these undemocratic procedures and legislations.
Signed by:
- Prof Ong Kian Ming, former MP; former deputy international trade and industry minister
- Khalid Samad, former MP; former federal territories minister
- Kasthuri Patto, former MP; deputy secretary for international affairs, DAP
- Amin Ahmad, former MP; member, Asean Parliamentarian for Human Rights
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
