Amendments to Sosma passed

KUALA LUMPUR - The Security Offences (Special Measures) (Amendment) Bill 2015 was passed by the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday.

The Bill was passed despite efforts by Opposition MPs to refer it to a select committee to discuss its merits.

The effort failed after a bloc division voting took place as the 81 MPs who voted against the move outnumbered the 68 MPs who wanted to refer the Bill.

Under the Bill, statements of an accused made at any time are admissible in evidence in security offence cases.

The Bill also provides that a spouse shall be compelled to disclose any communication made to him during marriage by any person to whom he is or has been married.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar had earlier defended the Bill stressing that it was needed to combat the threat of terrorism in the country and would only be used in that context.

“We can see that many young girls are married off to terrorists in the Middle East.

“While their husbands fight in Syria or Iraq, they are protected because the communication between the spouses cannot be disclosed.

“The Government feels that it is important for this amendment to be made because the situation warrants it,” Dr Wan Junaidi told the Dewan Rakyat when answering to points raised in the debate for the Bill.

He said the question of admissibility of the communication as evidence can be challenged in court but there should be no question as to whether such provisions were relevant to the current situation.