In a statement, Ramkarpal said he had met Saifuddin at the minister’s office this morning to discuss “various legal issues” involving his ministry.

Among the matters that were discussed included the need to study Sosma further to address various aspects that have been criticised recently, he said, including a provision that denies bail for certain detainees.

“I am happy to announce that Saifuddin has agreed with my proposal to start holding engagements with all stakeholders involved for this purpose,” he said.

Ramkarpal said his ministry and the home ministry would be inviting all stakeholders – including the police – to these engagement sessions soon.

Implemented in June 2012 as a replacement for the now-abolished Internal Security Act, which allowed for detention without trial, Sosma was enacted under a constitutional provision that provides broad powers against subversion, threats to public order, acts of terrorism, sabotage and espionage.

However, its use has been a long-standing controversy, and it was opposed by Pakatan Harapan even before the 2018 general election.

Sosma’s critics have pointed out that a police officer may arrest and detain an individual without a warrant if they believe the person to be involved in security offences. Police are also allowed to detain a person suspected of being involved in acts of terrorism for a period not exceeding 28 days for investigation without a court order.

Saifuddin recently said a review of Sosma was not needed as the law was necessary to tackle organised crime-related cases. His statement drew brickbats from human rights organisations and politicians.

The minister later acknowledged that certain provisions in Sosma might need to be reviewed from “time to time”, though he reiterated that there would not be any amendments to the Act for now.

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