KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today said that the arrests of 12 people under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) last week were based on compelling evidence which justifies their detention under the Act.
The 12 – including two DAP assemblymen and a teacher – were detained for allegedly supporting and funding the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE), which was deemed a terrorist group by Malaysia in 2014.
Dr Mahathir was responding to criticism of the arrests by Penang Deputy Chief Minister II, P. Ramasamy, that the Prime Minister had been critical of the use of Sosma by the previous administration; and that the ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition had pledged to abolish the Act.
Dr Mahathir, however, stressed that the circumstances which led to last week’s detentions were compelling, and that he is satisfied with the police’s explanation in justifying their actions.
“(This) situation is different. And (the police) do not arrest people without any reason. There are reasons (which compelled the police to use Sosma in this case).
“I have received an explanation from the police, and I am satisfied with it.
“If Ramasamy is not happy with the action, it is okay. He can say that he is unhappy with it,” he told reporters.
During an event in Langkawi on Sunday, Dr Mahathir said that the arrests were conducted without any interference from his administration, and carried out without malice towards any party.
The 12 people, who were rounded up in two separate raids on Thursday and Saturday, are suspected of promoting, supporting, channelling funds to and possessing materials related to the LTTE.