PUTRAJAYA, 14 Feb 2025 – Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called for a review of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) to assess potential improvements, said government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil.
Fahmi, who also serves as the Communications Minister, stated that several aspects of Sosma would be scrutinized. He added that Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail would provide further details of the review in the Dewan Rakyat soon.
Calls for Abolition and Public Pressure
The decision follows growing criticism of the law. On Feb 12, five former Pakatan Harapan (PH) MPs—Ong Kian Ming, Khalid Samad, Kasthuri Patto, Noor Amin Ahmad, and Maria Chin Abdullah—urged the government to abolish Sosma. They argued that the Home Ministry should be held accountable for the treatment of detainees under the Act and questioned whether the law remains necessary.
There have been numerous reports and protests from detainees, citing poor treatment and prolonged court delays. Human rights group Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) recently urged Anwar Ibrahim to intervene after the Home Ministry refused to accept a memorandum from the families of Sosma detainees.
The families, who staged a hunger strike outside Sungai Buloh prison last weekend, later gathered at the Home Ministry’s office to demand urgent answers regarding their loved ones’ well-being.
Background on Sosma
Sosma was introduced in 2012 under Najib Razak’s administration to replace the now-abolished Internal Security Act (ISA). The law allows police to arrest and detain individuals without a warrant if they are believed to be involved in security offences.
Other Legislative Amendments
Fahmi also revealed that a memorandum on amending the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 was presented to the Cabinet last week. The proposed amendments aim to address inconsistencies in the law and align it with other regulations.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Azam Baki previously stated that a bill to amend the Act is expected to be tabled in March or April, pending Cabinet approval.
Government Faces Mounting Pressure to Reform Laws
With calls for Sosma’s abolition growing louder and concerns over detainee rights escalating, the government must find a balance between national security and human rights. The upcoming parliamentary debates will be crucial in determining whether these legal reforms will meet public expectations and address longstanding criticisms.