KUALA LUMPUR: In its 14th general election manifesto, Pakatan Harapan (PH) had pledged to repeal draconian laws, such as ones which allow for detention without trial, were it to take over Putrajaya.
But since PH formed the federal government on May 10, several reports have revealed that the use of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) and the Prevention of Crime Act (Amendment) 2017 (Poca) continue unabated.
Human rights organisation Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy said that the reports show that PH is not only going back on its campaign promises, but is turning a blind eye to new and ongoing abuses of the harsh laws.
“When will the injustice end? Every citizen deserves to be given a fair trial. But we are seeing a rise in the number of detentions without trial,” he said this morning at a press conference at the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia’s (Suhakam) office here, where Suaram handed a memorandum to the human rights body on the recent detention of three immigration enforcement officers under Sosma and Poca.
Sevan highlighted the case of the three immigration officers who have been incarcerated for a prolonged period without trial.
“These three officers have been detained for 88 days, which is absurd!
“They were first detained for 28 days under Sosma and then (the detention was) extended for another 60 days under Poca,” Sevan said.
He wondered why authorities would use Sosma and Poca to detain the suspects when there are already laws in place to investigate cases.
Sevan also highlighted an element of alleged discrimination in the three officers’ continued incarceration.
“(The three officers’) superiors were also arrested, but released after they provided their statements to the police. The three officers, on the other hand (are low-level government servants). There seems to be discrimination in this,” he added.
Suhakam commissioner Datuk Lok Yim Pheng, who was present to receive the memorandum from Suaram, weighed in on the issue.
“We are deeply concerned by the continued use of (Sosma and Poca). This is an important matter, as the government needs to be vigilant about human rights.
“Suhakam will request that the government allows us to visit the three detainees to ensure that their wellbeing is being taken care of,” she said.
The families of the three detainees were also present and said that they hope the government and rakyat are aware of the injustice wrought by the use of draconian laws.