Published: Thursday March 21, 2013 MYT 8:43:00 PM

Lahad Datu: New security laws not for prosecution, Gani Patail clarifies

TAWAU: The Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) has no provision for prosecution, said Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail.

He noted that the Act, which replaced the Internal security Act (ISA), had been misconstrued both by some media practitioners and members of the public, particularly with regards to the detention of suspects over the terrorist intrusion into Lahad Datu, Sabah.

"Sosma is not similar to the Penal Code. It is not correct to say that the suspects would be charged under the Act.

"I hope the media is clear on this so that the public will get accurate information," he told a media conference here.

Sosma can be invoked by the police to maintain public order and security but has no provision for punishment unlike the Penal Code.

It allows the police to make an arrest without a warrant, and detain a person suspected of a security offence. The police can detain suspects for 24 hours and if necessary to facilitate investigations, can extend the detention period for up to 28 days.

The detainees will not be allowed bail after they are charged in court.

Gani expects more people to be charged over the Sulu intrusion in Lahad Datu due to the ongoing Ops Daulat to flush out the remaining gunmen.

He said the police also needed time to complete their investigations before charges could be made against the suspects.

He said giving time to the police to conduct their investigation did not mean delaying the case.

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Published: Thursday March 21, 2013 MYT 8:43:00 PM

Lahad Datu: New security laws not for prosecution, Gani Patail clarifies