What specific Sosma misuse cases highlight the need for justification?

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Specific Cases of Sosma Misuse Highlight Need for Justification

The Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) 2012 has been the subject of significant controversy, with several high-profile cases demonstrating its alleged misuse and prompting calls for the government to justify its continued existence. These instances suggest a pattern where the procedural law has been applied in ways that deviate from its intended purpose, leading to legal challenges and findings of injustice.
Maria Chin Abdullah's Detention and Settlement

One of the most prominent cases cited is the arrest of Maria Chin Abdullah under Sosma in 2016. She was reportedly placed in solitary confinement during her detention. Following international pressure, she was released, and later settled her legal challenge against the government out of court. The court's subsequent acknowledgment that her detention constituted a miscarriage of justice underscores concerns about the application of Sosma in this instance.
Detentions of Matthias Chang and Khairuddin Abu Hassan

The arrests of lawyer Matthias Chang and former Batu Kawan Umno division leader Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan also exemplify the alleged misuse of Sosma. Khairuddin was initially detained under the Act for engaging in activities deemed detrimental to parliamentary democracy. Subsequently, the court declared the use of Sosma unconstitutional in his case, and he was awarded RM300,000 in damages for wrongful detention. Chang was arrested under Sosma while visiting Khairuddin, highlighting how the law's application could extend to individuals connected to those detained.
Withdrawal of Cases Involving the LTTE 12

A further instance that has drawn attention is the case of the "LTTE 12." The Attorney General's Chambers ultimately withdrew the charges against these individuals, a move attributed to a clear misuse of Sosma. This decision by the AGC suggests that the evidence or legal basis for their detention under the Act was found to be insufficient or improperly applied, leading to the discontinuation of the legal proceedings.

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What specific Sosma misuse cases highlight the need for justification?

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