Speaking after an event, the PKR leader said the treatment of Sosma detainees was far worse than the treatment of Internal Security Act detainees.
Anwar, who spent 12 years in jail, including being arrested under the now abolished ISA, said there was a need to review the treatment of Sosma detainees who were subjected to, among others, solitary confinement and not having adequate access to family and lawyers.
“I’m not privy to every single case but they need to be reviewed. I don’t think a person should be detained under Sosma just because he wears an IS shirt.
“Yes, we should be tough against terrorists but I’m referring to how they’re treated in prison while the authorities review these cases.”
Anwar said there was a need to have a law against terrorism but questioned the wide range of legal flexibility that allowed authorities certain powers.
“As an example, if you are acquitted, pending appeal, you’re still in jail, this I think may not be the right legal framework for a free, democratic country.”
Earlier, in his speech at the launch of a book titled “Anwar Ibrahim: The Final Twist”, Anwar spoke on the hunger strike by Sosma inmates at the Sungai Buloh prison where he had once been incarcerated, saying the rights of those on strike must be safeguarded and due process respected.
Sosma detainees in the prison have been on a hunger strike since Friday. However, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Hanipa Maidin, who met with them today, said they had agreed to end their strike.
Yesterday, some 200 family members of the detainees gathered outside the Sungai Buloh Prison urging the government to abolish Sosma.
Attorney-General Tommy Thomas had also said that the law would “go soon” pending consultation with various ministries.
In July, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the government would abolish Sosma, which the previous administration introduced to deter extremists, including those linked to the Islamic State.
Under Sosma, a person can be detained for a maximum of 28 days and police can delay his access to family and legal counsel for up to 48 hours after being arrested.