Intensify pressure on gov't to repeal Sosma - Maria Chin
Ahead of the parliamentary session next month, Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah said today that increased pressure must be placed on the government to abolish the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) 2012.
Maria Chin, a former Sosma detainee, told a forum in Petaling Jaya this morning that such a campaign should be mounted aggressively before the cabinet makes a decision on the matter next month.
"We must intensify the campaign to abolish Sosma...
Ahead of the parliamentary session next month, Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah said today that increased pressure must be placed on the government to abolish the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) 2012.
Maria Chin, a former Sosma detainee, told a forum in Petaling Jaya this morning that such a campaign should be mounted aggressively before the cabinet makes a decision on the matter next month.
"We must intensify the campaign to abolish Sosma. We cannot wait until March, because by then a decision could have been reached by the cabinet.
"I also feel that we must send a memorandum or launch a campaign whereby all MPs will receive the memo, so that they will all understand why Sosma must be abolished," she said.
Maria Chin was speaking at an anti-Sosma forum together with Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, Hulu Kelang assemblyperson Saari Sungib and lawyer Syahredzan Johan.
She also volunteered to work together with other organisations opposed to the security law.
"This is an action where I can personally work with Suaram in a coalition against Sosma to draft a strategy for us to put more pressure on the government to fulfil its promise," she said.
Syahredzan (photo), however, reminded that the public must be careful in asking the government to abolish Sosma, as the Pakatan Harapan election manifesto did not expressly state that the law would be abolished.
"Harapan's manifesto only stated that it will abolish certain tyrannical provisions under the act.
"So, be a little bit careful when we demand that the government fulfil its promise, because it will say that based on its promise, it has repealed the (tyrannical) provisions under Sosma," said the lawyer, adding that efforts should be focused on demanding a total repeal of the law.
On July 22, last year, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the government would abolish laws that oppress the people, specifically Sosma.
The repeal of Sosma is expected to be among the laws under review, which will be tabled at the upcoming parliamentary session beginning next month.
