“The special committee has convened twice and the next meeting will be held at the end of this month,” said home ministry secretary-general Alwi Ibrahim in a statement, a day after hundreds gathered outside the Sungai Buloh Prison amid a hunger strike by Sosma detainees.

Alwi said the special committee is made up of the police, the Attorney-General’s Chambers, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam), Malaysian Bar, academicians and lawyers.

It was reported that 118 Sosma detainees at the Sungai Buloh Prison launched a hunger strike last Friday urging the government to abolish the Act.

They agreed to end the hunger strike today following a meeting between Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Hanipa Maidin and detainees’ representatives.

Alwi said the welfare of the detainees were being taken care of and continuously monitored, while prison medical officers were on standby at all times.

“Meals are served according to the schedule, meetings with family members and lawyers are also allowed,” he said.