PM Anwar defends maintaining Sosma as necessary against terrorism

The Star

The Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 remains necessary to counter threats like terrorism, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.  Responding to a supplementary question from Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Feb 13), the Prime Minister emphasised that such threats cannot be taken lightly, justifying the need to keep the Act in force.  Read more at https://tinyurl.com/3bv97ztc   WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news SUBSCRIBE: https://cutt.ly/TheStar LIKE: https://fb.com/TheStarOnline

Transcript

00:00We know that our Prime Minister is a part of the road politics,

00:08the movement of reforming YB and many other groups.

00:13So, of course, he understands the need for us to defend the rights and freedoms of these groups.

00:20So, my final question, Tan Sri Speaker,

00:23since we have mentioned about SOSMA,

00:26I would like to take this opportunity to ask YB,

00:29whether the government is ready to re-investigate this SOSMA,

00:34or should we remove it?

00:36The main issue with this SOSMA is that they cannot be brought to court

00:42to get a decision from the court,

00:45so that they can continue to be defended.

00:47Because the issue that has just happened is,

00:50the sentence is set for 2028.

00:55They have to wait too long in prison.

00:58Thank you, Tan Sri Speaker.

01:00Okay, PM would like to answer about the demonstration first.

01:02Thank you, Governor of Melaka.

01:04The police action must be related to Article 736, Section 11.

01:09The article is applicable.

01:11And although I said there is no obstruction,

01:14but there is no clear direction to avoid the moratorium as we are doing now.

01:20So, I understand why the police continue to do their job professionally.

01:26But the problem now,

01:28we have excluded,

01:30and the decision has been made to avoid,

01:33but we inform the police,

01:36while the move is being made,

01:39the moratorium allows information,

01:43so that a notification is given.

01:46And about the place,

01:48of course, the place is given an opportunity.

01:51But if it is a residential area or a safe place,

01:55there will be a notification,

01:58so that the police can call the invader,

02:01ask where to do it,

02:03the number of people,

02:05and ensure that the conditions of the weapons,

02:11I don't think it is too complicated,

02:14or ensure that they maintain and clean the area,

02:20after the moratorium is over.

02:22These are the things that have been arranged.

02:25But I want to assure that from now on,

02:28there will no longer be any formalities,

02:35other than the information,

02:37or the term of notification,

02:40for five days, to the police.

02:43That place is also given an opportunity,

02:46other than the places that are considered safe,

02:49and I believe that the invader can cooperate with the police.

02:55Regarding SOSMA,

02:57we have distinguished two things.

02:59There is no country now,

03:01except for the threat of terrorism.

03:04So, the issue of terrorism in Malaysia,

03:08should not be underestimated.

03:10There is a police who was shot dead,

03:13and the person is clear that he did this,

03:16as his responsibility to kill the police,

03:18and the next, other leaders.

03:20So, if the case is like that,

03:22the path is of course,

03:24strict and firm laws.

03:26There is no country in the world,

03:29that does not have such laws.

03:32But I agree with the thoughts of the Malaysian people,

03:35because these laws are clearly,

03:38not misused for other issues.

03:42As we experienced in the previous case,

03:44of the National Security Act.

03:47So, while we support freedom and democracy,

03:51we have to distinguish,

03:53there are still elements,

03:56that lead to violence and terrorism,

04:00that need a law,

04:02that is quite different,

04:04from the current law.

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