LTTE: Affected families urge the govt to repeal Sosma, DAP MP backs the call
KUALA LUMPUR: The families of the 12 men currently detained under Security Offenses (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) over alleged links to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) held a peaceful protest outside the Parliament yesterday.
They urged the government to release the 12 men, as their loved ones are facing financial hardships and emotional trauma over the arrests.
Among those who went to meet the protesters were Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo, Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh and Klang MP Charles Santiago.
Speaking on the matter, Santiago said that there is no necessity for the police to hold the men under Sosma as there are enough legal provisions in the Penal Code to charge them.
“Eve if the 12 men are acquitted, they may remain incarcerated until their appeals are heard. This amounts to a travesty and miscarriage of justice,” he said.
Calling it a sad day for Parliament, Santiago questioned the governments double standards in dealing with those claimed to have links to LTTE and those caught involved with Islamic state.
“There is a red carpet treatment for Malaysians who joined IS to return home.
“Yazid Sufaat, who played a crucial role in the US 9/11 attacks was released recently,” said the DAP MP.
The 12 men were detained under Sosma last month. Two of them are DAP assemblymen G Saminathan and P Gunasekaran.
The police alleged that one of the suspects was plotting to launch an attack on the Sri Lankan High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.
By Fifi Harteeny Marzuki
