The Security Offences (Special Offences) Act (Sosma), which was introduced to replace the Internal Security Act (ISA), is less fearsome than its predecessor, laments former Court of Appeal judge Mohd Noor Abdullah.

 

This is because Sosma only covers certain offences compared with the ISA, which was more wide-ranging, Mohd Noor said in a Sinar Harian report today.

 

"Sosma is only limited to offences such as trafficking in women and terrorism, even though there are many more offences that we want to handle but these are not covered by Sosma," he is quoted as saying.

 

Mohd Noor said the government should have retained the draconian law but introduced amendments to allow judicial review to ensure decisions made under the Act are reasonable and fair.

 

"If that is done, I believe the rakyat will not oppose it (the ISA).

 

"The main reason the ISA was questioned was because the courts had no jurisdiction for judicial review," he is quoted as saying.

 

Under the ISA, the minister has the power to issue a detention order and can extend it indefinitely on two-year terms, with detainees being placed in a detention centre in Kamunting ( above ).

 

'System yet to be tested'

Mohd Noor lamented that now, those facing action under Sosma are only attached with a electronic monitoring device, adding that its effectiveness is yet to be proven.

 

"This device attached to individuals is a replacement to being jailed in Kamunting.

 

"Whatever they do, say, or where they go, this device can detect them. It's like a CCTV.

 

"But we have yet to see the device and the system has yet to be scrutinised as the Home Ministry does not have this device yet," he is quoted as saying.

 

Commenting on the Sedition Act, another controversial law which the government has decided to retain and strengthen, Mohd Noor said it is not meant to protect any one particular race.

 

He said the Act is not meant to defend the bumiputera, nor to oppress the non-bumiputera, but is to prevent any quarter from committing offences that can threaten national security and harmony.