Ex-Sosma detainees living in fear of re-arrest

RAWANG: With things still up in the air about whether the Security Offences (Special Measures Act) 2012 (Sosma) will be repealed, many former detainees are living in fear.

They claim that some parties told them they could be detained at any time even though they had already been released.

Former Sosma detainee Datuk Seri A.N. Bala Krishnan said he was “suddenly detained” by police at his Bandar Country Homes house in March without knowing what offence he supposedly committed.

“I was shocked as I did not know what I was supposedly did.

“My family lived in fear as I was so suddenly detained without any reason given.

“If the police found that I committed an offence, then they should have conducted proper investigations.

“If I received money illegally, they could have investigated me and seized the money.

“I would have cooperated if they had investigated the matter, but instead, I was detained without any reason given, even though I had, prior to that, a good relationship with the police.”

He said he was grateful to the new government for ensuring that his case was brought to trial so that he could be released.

However, he said, he wanted the authorities to say whether Sosma would be repealed.

“After I was released, several friends and relatives met me and asked me to be careful as there was a possibility that I could be detained again.

“I am really afraid of a repeat of this dark episode.”

On Aug 26, it was reported that 160 Sosma detainees began a 24hour hunger strike at the Sungai Buloh prison to urge the government to set in motion efforts to repeal the act.

Bala Krishnan and 37 others were released on Sept 3 after they claimed trial to charges under Section 130V(1) of the Penal Code for allegedly being members of an organised crime group.