Why invoke Sosma for GISBH cases, Suaram asks govt

Human rights NGO Suaram said the authorities didn't have to invoke the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 to re-arrest 58 individuals linked to Global Ikhwan Services and Businesses Holdings (GISBH).

In a statement today, Suaram said the court had already issued remand extensions against the individuals involved to facilitate an ongoing investigation since the police cracked down on the group.

“Therefore, there is no legitimate need for the use of Sosma in this case.

“This is because the police would have had adequate time to gather the necessary evidence to proceed with charges under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act and Section 130V of the Penal Code,” it said.

On Oct 10, Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said 16 individuals, including senior management from GISBH, were rearrested under Sosma on the same day in connection with allegations of child and religious exploitation.

He also said that since the launch of Op Global last month, 58 people have been detained under Sosma.

So far, during the month-long operation, Shuhaily mentioned the authorities arrested 415 individuals and rescued 625 victims aged between two months and 28 years.

However, Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim decried the use of Sosma against GISBH followers, calling it an “overkill”.

“What is Sosma? It is a law that pertains to terrorism and threats against national security.

“The question is, does GISBH’s deviation from Islamic teaching fall under the ambit of security offence? Are child abuse and modern slavery offences considered security offences?

“I would like to seek the home minister’s explanation on this. Because this is an abuse of Sosma,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat when debating the issue of GISBH.

Capacity building

Suaram said the use of Sosma in the GISBH case diverts attention from the critical need for capacity building to enhance police resilience in tackling fast-evolving crime methods.

The capacity building, it added, would enable the authorities to conduct effective investigations while upholding the right to a fair trial.

It also said the dependence on punitive measures could dilute long-term crime prevention efforts – and in the GISBH case, the implementation of robust monitoring and early-stage intervention mechanisms by law enforcement and religious authorities.

“Prioritising long-term strategies, which can strengthen institutional capacities to combat organised crime and terrorism, would render the retention and use of Sosma unnecessary, fostering political will to repeal the law.”

Suaram said proposed amendments to Sosma have been submitted to the Home Ministry last year, following extensive stakeholder consultations led by the Prime Minister’s Department on Law and Institutional Reform.

“Despite these efforts, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has yet to act on the necessary amendments, among which included the critical issue of bail for detainees.

“Instead of justifying Sosma’s application, his focus should now shift towards expediting these reforms, ensuring justice is served without compromising fundamental rights to fair trial,” it said.

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