Why use Sosma to detain drug syndicates, Suaram questions

KUALA LUMPUR - Demanding a fair trial, Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) has slammed the use of the Security Offences (Speacial Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) in arresting drug syndicates.

In their Human Rights Report 2023, Suaram revealed 3,220 cases were reported under Sosma last year which saw the arrest of members from Geng Upik and Geng 08 GST.

Its executive director Sevan Doraisamy said there was no need for the use of Sosma to detain drug syndicate members since the Dangerous Drug Act 1952 law exists.

"For the first time since its inception, Sosma was used to arrest and detain drug syndicate members, which is concerning when existing laws such as the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 are adequate.

"The protracted wait of at least two years by detainees in prison for trial persists, though this is cut short by a year for 23 detainees in the Geng 08 GST case.

"Last year, 1,012 arrests were made under the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985,” he said during the launch of Suaram Human Rights Report 2023 at Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, here, today.

Despite longstanding calls for amendments and repeal to Sosma, Sevan said the progress was slow.

"Although the government is receptive to amending Sosma, no explicit timeline has been given.

"Delaying only results in continued violation of the fundamental right to fair trial and most importantly, the fulfilment of social and economic rights of families of detainees," he said.

Whilst death in custody cases in 2023 might have reduced by 48 per cent compared to the previous year, Sevan said the issue of lacking data transparency persists.

"Access to justice for families of the deceased is also challenging and protracted.

"There is no commitment by the current administration to improve the Independent Police Conduct Commission Act 2022 (IPCC) - one of the pledges by the Pakatan Harapan coalition in its election manifesto in 2022," he said.