Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin SOSMA amendment
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin Menteri Dalam Negeri, Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin

By Muhammad Azizul Osman

KUALA LUMPUR – If the amendment of Subsection 4(5) of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA) is not passed at the Dewan Rakyat, it would cause the criminals to be insolent.

Its Minister, Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said that the police should be given the full authority to carry out their responsibility.

“An individual who loves the country and peace would definitely give sufficient room for the PDRM to carry out their role.

“Therefore, the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA) is the best mechanism to overcome security threats.

“Thus, the effective period for the Subsection 4(5) of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 should be extended to another five years from 31 July 2022,” he said while presenting the Subsection 4(5) SOSMA at the Dewan Rakyat today.

According to him, the extension enables the police to extend the detention period of an individual arrested under SOSMA for up to 28 days.

“The providence under Subsection 4(5) SOSMA needs to be extended and the detention period of 28 days must be maintained to provide sufficient time to the police to complete their investigation as the security offences are complicated and complex in nature.

“Besides that, the case investigation involving security offences, especially violent crimes and organised crimes are complicated and complex. It requires time to get statements from the detainees and compilation of evidence for prosecution, including tracking the accomplices who are still at large,” he said.

For the record, the effective period of Subsection 4(5) SOSMA is limited to five years to create a check and balance in the enforcement. However, it can be revised and extended upon the approval of the Parliament.

According to Subsection 4(3), no one can be arrested and detained over their political beliefs or activities. -MalaysiaGazette