An international human rights group has urged Parliament to reject a proposal to extend the police's power of 28 days detention under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma), saying its use has given the country a bad name abroad.

“Since 2012, Malaysian authorities have repeatedly used the security offenses law to … [detain] outspoken activists without charge,” said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

“Parliament should recognise the harm this detention provision causes both for ordinary Malaysians and for Malaysia’s reputation abroad, and reject it before further damage is done,” he said in a statement today.

This week the government tabled a motion in Parliament to extend Sosma's 28-day detention provision for another five years starting July 31, 2017.

Robertson said although Sosma states that no one is to be arrested “solely for his political belief or political activity”, the definition of “political activity” is narrow, "leaving room for authorities to arrest and detain people for other forms of peaceful political activity".

He cited cases of Sosma being used on government critics such as former Batu Kawan Umno vice-chief Khairuddin Abu Hassan on September 18, 2015 for pursuing the 1MDB scandal, and Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah on Nov 18, 2016 on allegations of having received funds from philanthropist George Soros.

"(To date) she has not been charged with any crime," said Robertson.

He also cited the use of Sosma to detain student Siti Noor Aishah on March 13, 2016, for possessing 12 books that were considered 'terrorist materials'.

She was rearrested after the High Court acquitted her of all charges.

“Malaysian officials evidently view Sosma as a shortcut to harass and silence human rights activists and anti-corruption campaigners with prolonged detention without charge,” Robertson said.

“Parliament should uphold basic rights and let these detention provisions lapse, then follow up with revisions or repeal of the entire abusive law.”

Amanah: Vote out extension

Meanwhile Amanah Youth deputy chief Faiz Fadzil urged MPs to vote out the motion to extend the provision as a first step in the fight to have Sosma abolished.

“This early step will send a clear signal to the government that the people of Malaysia reject the oppression that has made the people victims of arbitrary and autocratic acts by the government,” he said in a statement.

Amanah Youth, he said, also called for Siti Noor Aishah to be released.

“Siti Noor Aishah has become a victim of the cruelty (of Sosma), where after being freed of any offence under Sosma she is again detained.

“Rightfully, the doctrine of 'innocent until proven guilty' was applied at the highest level, where despite all the explanations from the prosecutors, it was found no wrong had been committed.

“Her arrest after being freed by the High Court is as if she is being punished for being found innocent.

“Such action is undemocratic and unconstitutional,” said Faiz.