Bersatu youths to protest outside Parliament gates over Sosma motion rejection

SHAH ALAM - Bersatu youths are expected to hold a protest outside of Parliament from 11am onwards, today, to protest the rejection of the controversial Security Offences Special Measures Act (Sosma) motion.

Kuala Lumpur Bersatu Youth in a statement, today, said the rejection of the motion would cause risks of security threats as it would reduce the effectiveness of the law required by the security forces to prevent and combat crime and terrorism.

"Therefore, we will hold a demonstration to protest this rejection and support the extension proposal submitted by the Home Minister," the statement said.

Yesterday, the Dewan Rakyat rejected a motion to extend the effective period of subsection 4(5) of Sosma which gives the police special powers to hold individuals arrested under the Act for up to 28 days, for another five years.

Only 84 MPs voted in favour of the resolution, while 86 MPs voted against it.

Following Teluk Intan MP Nha Kor Ming's request for a bloc vote in compliance with Standing Order 46 (4), deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Ramli Mohd Nor decided that the motion would be decided by a bloc vote.