Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin made all BN MPs vote for the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) when he was BN whip, BN strategic communications director Abdul Rahman Dahlan said.
Muhyiddin, who was sacked as deputy prime minister in July, this morning issued joint statement with veteran BN leaders condemning the arrests of Umno man Khairuddin Abu Hassan and his lawyer Matthias Chang.
“Sosma is better than the Internal Security Act (ISA). In fact, as former BN chief whip, Muhyiddin made sure all BN MPs including the Semporna MP voted for it in parliament,” Abdul Rahman said on Twitter.
The Semporna MP, Shafie Apdal, also signed the joint statement issued at a high-powered press conference this morning.
Shafie was similarly dropped from cabinet in the July reshuffle but is still Umno vice president.
The joint statement was also signed by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, former MCA presidents Dr Ling Liong Sik and Ong Tee Keat, former Kedah menteri besar Sanusi Junid and Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.
The BN big guns condemned the use of Sosma against Khairuddin and Chang, arguing that Sosma was meant to curb terrorism, not criticism against government.
Khairuddin had prior to his arrest under Sosma lodged complaints on 1MDB to international agencies, while accompanied by his counsel, Chang.
The duo was this morning charged with trying to sabotage the economy.
SOSMA is better than ISA. In fact as former BN Chief Whip, TSMY made sure all BN MPs including the Semporna MP voted for it in parliament.
— Abdul Rahman Dahlan (@mpkotabelud) October 12, 2015
People do remember his ISA and the "colorful" 22 years tenure as PM. Enough said!
— Abdul Rahman Dahlan (@mpkotabelud) October 12, 2015
Abdul Rahman, who is also housing, local government and urban well-being minister said Mahathir should remember how the ISA was used during his “colourful 22 years tenure”.
“Enough said!”
Hundreds were arrested under the ISA during Mahathir’s tenure, including journalists and activists under Operasi Lalang in 1987.
"The 22 years of fear culture is undeniable," he said.
Unlike the ISA detainees, Abdul Rahman said, Khairuddin and Chang (photo) will face trial.
“So let the court decide if they are guilty or not,” he said.
The now repealed ISA allowed detention without trial for up to two years, but the detention order can be renewed by the home minister consecutively without limit.
Sosma allows detention without trial for up to 28 days.
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