SOSMA is for terrorists, Tun M says

“SOSMA is for terrorists. Now it is scaring the people. They are not doing something that can be construed as sabotaging the government,” he said at a press conference today.

“Government is abusing the law. Government should respond by releasing them. Not detaining under SOSMA,” he added.

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Tun M was referring to former UMNO Batu Kawan deputy chief Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan and his lawyer Matthias Chang.

The former premier said using SOSMA to detain the duo went against the spirit and the reason why the Act was passed at the Parliament.

Dr Mahathir stressed that the detention of the duo was an abuse of power by the authorities and called on the government to release them.

“The two must be released immediately and the authorities must guarantee that no one will be detained under SOSMA anymore for just stating their opinion, views and taking actions as allowed under the Federal Constitution,” he said.

Other BN heavyweights who also attended the press conference were UMNO deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, vice-president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, former UMNO secretary-general Tan Sri Sanusi Junid dan former MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat.

The press conference took place at Perdana Leadership Foundation, Putrajaya.

The Magistrate Court today charged Chang and Khairuddin with sabotaging the country's banking and financial services.

On Sept 18, Khairuddin was arrested by the police about 7.30pm at his Mont Kiara residence, a few days before he was scheduled to meet Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents in America.

On Sept 23, Khairuddin was re-arrested at the Kuala Lumpur High Court under SOSMA for acts of sabotage.

He was rearrested under Section 124K and 124L of the Penal Code after being released from the previous charge under Section 124C of the Penal Code.

Chang, meanwhile was detained on Oct 8 after visiting Khairuddin at the Dang Wangi police station.