KUALA LUMPUR: Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) has criticised the use of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) in detaining members of drug syndicates.

The human rights group said 3220 cases were reported under Sosma last year, which included the arrest of members from Geng Upik and Geng 08 GST.

Its executive director, Sevan Doraisamy, said there was no use of the Sosma for detaining drug syndicate members, as the existing laws, such as the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, were sufficient for such cases.

"For the first time since its inception, Sosma was used to arrest and detain drug syndicate members, which is concerning when existing laws such as the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 are adequate.

"The prolonged wait of at least two years by detainees in prison for trial persists, although this is shortened by a year for 23 detainees in the Geng 08 GST case.

"In 2023, 1012 arrests were made under the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985 (DD(SPM)A)," he said during the launch of Suaram's annual Human Rights Report 2023.

Sevan said despite repeated calls for reform, progress on amending Sosma remains slow, with no concrete timeline provided.

"Although the government is receptive to amending Sosma, no explicit timeline has been given yet.

"Further delay only leads to the continued violation of the fundamental right to a fair trial, and most importantly, the fulfillment of social and economic rights of families of detainees."

He added that until amendments were tabled and passed in Parliament, the government's commitments would remain merely rhetorical.

"Over the last five years, previous home ministers have promised to amend or improve the procedural law, all of which were unfulfilled. The road to reform for Sosma has been long-standing.

"This lack of progress is characterised by the narrative of the procedural law's relevance or necessity in ensuring public order, national security, and even sovereignty, which the Home Ministry and law enforcement continuously propagate."

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/03/1031182/suaram-condemns-use-sosma-detaining-drug-syndicates