By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, April 2: The motion to extend the effective period of Subsection 4 (5) of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA), which expires on July 31, can be tabled again at the next sitting of the Dewan Rakyat.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Dato Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said according to Standing Order 63 of the Dewan Rakyat, any Bill which has been negatived shall not be tabled again during the same session until the next term which is next year.
“However, the SOSMA is not a Bill but it is only a motion. This means it is not bound to Standing Order 63 and can be tabled at any time.
“In other words, the SOSMA motion can be tabled for a debate in the next Parliament session,” he clarified to reporters during his work visit to Kampung Muara Tebas here today.
On March 23, the Dewan Rakyat rejected the motion to extend the effective period of the subsection, which would grant the police special powers to hold individuals arrested and detained under the Act for up to 28 days, for another five years.
According to the calendar, the second meeting of the Dewan Rakyat is scheduled for July 18 to Aug 4, while the Dewan Negara sitting is scheduled for Aug 8 to 16.— DayakDaily
