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SOSMA Reforms On The Cards

Feb 19, 2025

Several recommendations have been made to improve the Security Offences (Special Measures Act), or SOSMA. 

The Home Minister says this is part of planned reforms for the act, which currently allows for up to 28 days detention without trial.  

According to Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, one proposal is to authorise the courts to allow bail for some of SOSMA's 73 offences.  

He also told the Dewan Rakyat that another proposal is to establish a dedicated court for SOSMA offences.  

It would be similar to other special courts that were set up to try offences including corruption, cybercrime and sexual offences against children.  

It will help ensure that there are no delays in the handling of SOSMA cases...  

Saifuddin adds that a special committee is being set up to refine the proposed reforms, which will then be presented to Parliament. 

He also stressed that these reforms don't mean that the government is becoming more lenient on threats posed by terrorism and organised crime. 

Last week, PM Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that SOSMA is still needed to address threats to national security.  

However, he also ordered a review of the act, which critics described as 'draconian'.  

Activists had also called for reforms, saying that there must be a balance between maintaining national security and protecting individual rights and civil liberties.