PN looking to 'improve' Sosma, Sedition Act

PARLIAMENT | The Perikatan Nasional government is committed to “improving” security laws like the Sedition Act 1948 and Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).

In a written parliamentary reply to Su Keong Siong (DAP-Kampar) dated yesterday, Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin (photo, above) said Sosma remained “relevant” for law enforcement.

“The government is of the view that Sosma is still relevant and important to ensuring public safety and national security.

“The police still need the law to combat and curb security threats like terrorists and organised crime syndicates.

“The government is committed to improving security laws including Sosma and the Sedition Act,” Hamzah said, adding that further studies were needed for the laws.

This marks a departure from the stance taken by the former Pakatan Harapan government, which was to revoke the Sedition Act and abolish draconian provisions in Sosma.

This was, however, not done during its 22 months in power.

Targets of Sosma

In a separate written parliamentary reply to Ngeh Koo Ham (DAP-Beruas), who questioned who the targets of Sosma were, Hamzah listed those who committed four specific offences.

1. Causing organised violence against people or property, or causing a substantial number of citizens to fear violence;

2. Inciting disloyalty towards the YDP Agong;

3. Threatening public order in the country;

4. To procure the alternation, otherwise than by lawful means, of anything by law established

In his question, Ngeh had referred from the preamble of the Sosma, which states the application of the law is meant to be used when “action had been taken and further action was threatened by a substantial group of people both inside and outside Malaysia”.