Government has no plans to abolish Sosma

SHAH ALAM - The government has no intentions of abolishing or reviewing the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) as the existing security laws are still relevant and important to maintain public order and national security.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the police require the law for immediate action to be taken to avoid any public panic and threats to national security as well as for well-being and safety of the people.

He said Sosma is a procedural law that applies to specific security breaches.

“The ministry is committed to improving the law to ensure that the peace and security of the country is preserved, but it must be balanced with the rights of the public as well as the interests and order of the country.

“In implementing the improvements to the law, the ministry has held internal discussions and workshops to view suggested improvements.

“Stakeholders including non-governmental organisations, academic experts, communities and such will be involved in the feedback collection session towards the proposed improvements,” he said in a written answer to P Prabakaran’s (PH-Batu) question in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday.

Earlier Prabakaran had asked for an explanation from Saifuddin regarding the government’s intention to abolish or review the Sosma act in Dewan Rakyat.

On another matter, Saifuddin said the Independent Police Conduct Commission (IPCC) Act (Act 839) will be enforced starting July 1.

He said the ministry was awaiting the approval for staffing and allocation from the central agency for the establishment of the commission.

On the status of police officers equipped with body camera equipment as well as the expenditure, Saifuddin said the government has approved RM30 million towards the procurement of body worn camera (BWC) under the first rolling plan (RP1) of the 2021 12th Malaysia plan (RMK-12).

Saifuddin explained the BWC woud be used by on-duty police officers especially for Police motor vehicle patrol (MPV) units and Police motorcycle patrol unit (URB) as well as Police street patrols in 157 district headquarters (IPD) across the country.

“There is a plan to secure a total of 7,648 BWC units with a price estimation of RM2,000 to RM2,500 per unit,” he explained.