“Parliament only intended that Sosma be used against militant and terrorist activities,” Zainur told FMT.
He said Chin’s activities to organise a peaceful rally to enable the public to express themselves about the leadership of Prime Minister Najib Razak could not be construed as a security offence.
“Only idiots who want to protect criminals will think of using Sosma against Chin,” he said.
Zainur said police should have instead held Red Shirts leader Jamal Yunos under the law for the threat he issued which was deterimental to national security, public order and racial harmony.
Eric Paulsen, executive director of Lawyers for Liberty, said that under the Act, Chin could be held in remand for 28 days for investigations.
Zainur said Chin would not be entitled to bail if she was charged with a security offence after the remand period. “She has to challenge the charge and obtain bail,” said Zainur.
Zainur represented lawyer Matthias Chang, who was charged with former Umno leader Khairuddin Abu Hassan for sabotaging the nation’s banking and financial services following reports made against 1MDB outside Malaysia.
Both were detained about three months until the High Court in November last year granted them bail.
Judge Mohd Azman Husin found that the sabotage charge against Khairuddin and Matthias did not fall under the purview of Sosma.
The government is appealing aganst the ruling.