Mixed reaction to Malaysia's review of 'detention without trial' law

Civil society groups welcome evaluation, but some say 'draconian' law should be repealed

- Azril Annuar

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia's plan to review a controversial law that allows for suspects to be detained for up to 28 days without trial has been welcomed by civil society groups, with some saying the law should be repealed entirely.

The Security Offences (Special Measures) Act, commonly referred to as Sosma, was enacted in 2012 to tackle serious threats to national security and public order, but it has also been criticised as "draconian" and there have been periodic calls for its repeal.

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told Parliament on Feb 19 that the law will be reviewed with possible amendments to be tabled in July. These include creating a special court to speed up hearing of Sosma cases as well as reassessing the blanket no-bail rule and the 28-day remand period.

"Out of the 73 offences covered under this Act, which includes crimes against the country, organised crimes and offences under the Anti-trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act, we will determine which can now be left to the court's discretion for bail. "Previously, bail was not allowed in these cases," Datuk Seri Saifuddin said.

The review comes after inmates jailed under Sosma, as well as their families, caused a fracas inside and outside Sungai Buloh Prison in Selangor in February.

Human rights groups, politicians and experts welcomed the review, saying security considerations should be weighed against fairer treatment of detainees.

Mr S. Arutchelvan, a senior leader from Parti Sosialis Malaysia, which has long criticised Sosma for detaining suspects without bail, said moves to amend the law previously had faced push-back from the police.