PETALING JAYA: The proposed amendments to the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) are being studied, says Ramkarpal Singh.
“I am confident that the recommendations regarding the proposed amendments will be taken up for consideration by the government in the near future,” said the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) in a statement on Tuesday (August 1).
He said the study is being conducted by the Home Ministry, police and Attorney General's Chambers.
Ramkarpal added that this is part of the ongoing efforts by the government to review improvements suggested for Sosma according to the current times.
He also said that the family members of Sosma detainees should call off the hunger strike for the sake of the young children involved.
“Accordingly, I request all family members of the detainees under Sosma who are currently on hunger strike to be patient and end it for the sake of the small children who are present at the Sungai Buloh Prison,” he said.
Ramkarpal added that a total of 12 engagement sessions to gain a holistic perspective as this law were chaired by him since February, adding that these also involved the detainees and their family members as well as relevant stakeholders.
“The engagement sessions are especially important to understand how Sosma has impacted the daily lives of family members of the detainees,” said Ramkarpal.
He added that the proposed amendments to Sosma are currently being studied by taking into account the results of the engagement sessions to ensure the improvements are appropriate.
On Monday (July 31), about 100 family members of 69 Sosma detainees started a hunger strike opposite the Sungai Buloh Prison here to protest the detention of the inmates, with the majority being their wives and children.
The family members - including about 20 children, with the youngest being three - arrived at 6am and gathered near the prison entrance carrying banners and placards.
The 69 inmates, 34 who were held in Sungai Buloh Prison and the rest at the Alor Setar Prison had earlier kicked off a hunger strike while in custody on Sunday (July 30) before their families joined them in the protest.
The protestors are calling on the authorities to either charge them in court or release them.
