Home Ministry to table Sosma amendments in August, 13 offences to be removed, says Saifuddin Nasution
He said one of the key areas under review is Section 13, particularly the issue of bailable, non-bailable and unbailable offences.
'There are currently 73 offences listed under Sosma that allow for detention. Through our engagement sessions so far, we have identified at least 13 offences that we intend to eliminate from the list of offences that permit the use of Sosma,' Saifuddin said during the winding-up session in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He also added that the engagement sessions are still ongoing.
Responding to suggestions by Jelutong MP RSN Rayer on whether a special court should be set up to handle Sosma cases, Saifuddin said the ministry remains open to all proposals.
'These sessions give ample space for stakeholders to present justifications and rationales. If the proposal is found to be a reasonable form of improvement, we will study it thoroughly,' he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Reduced levy to take effect on Aug 8: Minister
PETALING JAYA: The reduced tariffs on Malaysian exports will take effect on Aug 8 following the conclusion of negotiations between both countries, said International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz. He said both governments are expected to issue a joint statement this weekend to formalise the agreement, which he described as a significant breakthrough in bilateral trade relations. 'In the tariff negotiations, we adopted a comprehensive and systematic approach in finalising Malaysia's offer to the US. 'The ministry's negotiation team worked closely with various government agencies to coordinate efforts. We also obtained Cabinet approval to present an offer to the US that we believe is fair for Malaysia.' He said the outcome reflects the strength of Malaysia-US economic ties with the US remaining Malaysia's largest export market valued at RM198.65 billion in 2024, and affirms Malaysia's credibility as a reliable trade and investment partner. Tengku Zafrul said the revised 19% tariff aligns Malaysia with regional competitors, helping safeguard national interests while maintaining export competitiveness. He also directly addressed public concerns that Malaysia may have compromised its halal standards to meet US demands, dismissing such claims as false. 'What was agreed upon was to facilitate the import process of US halal meat into Malaysia, which will be carried out by US halal certification bodies recognised by the Islamic Development Department. 'Compliance with syariah requirements remains a prerequisite for all halal meat imports, including those from the US. Any meat that does not meet the department's standards cannot be brought into Malaysia.' Tengku Zafrul thanked the US Trade Representative's Office and the US Commerce Department for their constructive cooperation. He said the ministry has been working with Bank Negara Malaysia to assess the economic implications of various tariff levels and would coordinate with other ministries to support local exporters, especially SMEs. The ministry will also promote the use of Malaysia's 18 free trade agreements to diversify export markets and align efforts with long-term national strategies, including the New Industrial Master Plan 2030, Green Investment Strategy and the National Semiconductor Strategy.
Free Malaysia Today
4 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Turun Anwar rally was not a people's movement, says Maria
Former Bersih chairman Maria Chin Abdullah said she did not attend the July 26 protest because it did not appear to represent the wider Malaysian public or any concrete issues. PETALING JAYA : Former Bersih chairman Maria Chin Abdullah has questioned the intent and makeup of the recent Turun Anwar rally, saying it did not reflect the voice of the people and lacked clear demands. While acknowledging the people's right to assemble, Maria said she did not attend the July 26 protest because it did not appear to represent the wider Malaysian public or any concrete issues. 'So my question is: if you want Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to step down, the next step should be to table a vote of no confidence in Parliament but that hasn't been done. 'Anwar just presented the 13th Malaysia Plan but there was no mention of a vote of no confidence. So to be honest, I'm not sure what Turun Anwar was really about,' Maria said at youth-based NGO Mandiri's 10th year celebration of the Tangkap Najib rally. The Tangkap Najib rally, held in Kuala Lumpur, was to urge the resignation of then Prime Minister Najib Razak due to his involvement in the 1MDB scandal. Police presence was heavy, and after about 200 protesters gathered, the police moved in to arrest those refusing to disperse, with around 20 to 29 youths arrested. Maria, a former Petaling Jaya MP, said many of those involved in Turun Anwar were politicians and elected representatives and the rally lacked a unifying cause that should resonate with the majority of Malaysians. 'Of course, they have every right to be on the streets but if we want to build a real movement, it has to come from the rakyat. It has to be based on what they're feeling. What are their issues? 'I didn't go (to the Turun Anwar Rally). And if I were to go, I would want to be clear on what the rally is about. And I would want to see it as a representative of Malaysia. 'I'm not saying we did everything perfectly, but the Bersih movement was reflective not only of Malaysia's diverse, multicultural makeup, it also presented the government at the time with very critical issues,' she added. Mandeep Singh, also a former Bersih chairman, said the effectiveness and messaging of the Turun Anwar rally left much to be desired. 'It's the job of the opposition to bring down your opponent. But what is your demand, actually? What are you asking for? Economic reform?,' he said. 'What are your demands? What are you trying to show? At Tangkap Najib there were activists, students, different civil societies and there were people who had no political interests. It was a people's movement. This one is a political movement, just anti-Anwar,' Mandeep said. Police estimated that around 18,000 people attended the Turun Anwar rally last Saturday, though organisers claimed that more than 200,000 rally-goers were present.
Free Malaysia Today
4 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Give addendum same respect as unity govt order, says Najib's son
Nizar Najib said failure to implement the royal order could damage public trust in the government and respect for royal directives. KUALA LUMPUR : The government has been urged by Nizar Najib, son of former prime minister Najib Razak, to accord the same respect and urgency to a royal order on his father's house arrest request as it did to the call that led to the formation of the unity government. 'This issue (of the addendum) has been going on forever. How much longer are we going to drag this out when the decree already exists?' he said at a press conference here today. Nizar, who is Najib's eldest son, said failure to carry out the order could damage public trust and respect for royal directives. 'It's the same as when we honoured the royal decree to form the unity government. No one questioned it and, in fact, everyone supported it. So what's the difference between the decree to form the unity government and the one to implement the addendum?' he said. Last week, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the government will follow-up on the royal order as soon as possible following legal procedures 'but it depends heavily on the powers of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, which we must all respect'. The addendum was made to a Pardons Board decision to reduce Najib's sentence of a jail term and fine, and purportedly orders Najib's jail sentence to be served under house arrest. Najib had been convicted of corruption and abuse of power in the SRC International case. The Federal Court was told on July 9 that Attorney-General Dusuki Mokhtar had on July 2 acknowledged the existence of the addendum but was disputing whether it was genuine or valid. At the press conference, Rosmadi Ismail, chairman of the NKB1Msia Club, called on the prime minister to take full responsibility in ensuring the addendum is implemented. He said Najib deserved fair and just treatment under the law as a statesman who had contributed significantly to national development.
