BY: DATUK SERI DR WAN AZIZAH ISMAIL
First of all, let me thank and express my gratitude to Allah as after 10 days of detention under SOSMA, Bersih 2.0 Chairman Maria Chin Abdullah has finally been released.
I am certain that among the reasons for her release include the pressure and strong support of citizens, who have been gathering peacefully every night at Dataran Merdeka and many other locations in the country to express their dissatisfaction of her arrest under SOSMA.
The UMNO-Barisan Nasional government had previously promised to use SOSMA only on terrorists, had clearly gone back on their words.
To this day, not one UMNO-BN minister or Member of Parliament dares to issue a statement that Maria’s arrest under SOSMA is appropriate and fair.
The only thing we hear is the excuse ‘Don’t ask me, ask so-and-so.’
In fact, just yesterday morning we see more Pakatan Harapan Members of Parliament, Assemblymen and political activists being summoned by the police regarding the Bersih 5 peace rally.
The abuse and use of SOSMA on Maria, together with the rampant use of Penal Code Section 124C (attempt to commit activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy) and 147 (rioting) to arrest and investigate so many politicians from the opposition and Bersih 2.0 activists pre-Bersih 5, are just the government’s ploy to continue to hold on to power.
It is not impossible that the closer we get to the 14th General Election (GE), the more Pakatan Harapan politicians will be brought to court.
Therefore, if in March next year, the UMNO-BN Government decides to prolong SOSMA, we must be prepared to face them in Parliament.
What had happened to Maria, who is not a terrorist; should not happen to anyone else. National security must be guaranteed but citizens’ safety must also be protected.
*Wan Azizah is Opposition Leader and KEADILAN President
Maria Chin’s release and SOSMA
