Govt to reassess Sosma, refugee policies against current needs, says home minister

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 — The Home Minister, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, emphasized the need for a thorough examination of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) and the refugee issue to ensure policies remain relevant to present-day developments and national requirements. Speaking at a discussion on the two matters, Saifuddin clarified that neither Sosma nor the refugee issue should be viewed from a singular viewpoint.

Instead, he advocated for considering recent developments, on-the-ground challenges, and prospective approaches for the future. In a Facebook post, Saifuddin stressed that policies should not only address immediate needs but also be practical, well-founded, and suited to current circumstances. The Sosma Act, implemented in 2012, enables authorities to take special measures to tackle security offenses, serving as a replacement for the Internal Security Act 1960 (ISA), which was later repealed.

The legislation has faced scrutiny in the past, with various groups advocating for its repeal or review, particularly due to concerns surrounding its provisions and execution. In recent months, the refugee issue, especially concerning those from Myanmar, has garnered substantial public concern, prompting debates over national security, humanitarian considerations, and the handling of refugee communities.