All You Need To Know About Tun M & BN Leaders’ Press Conference On SOSMA “Abuse”

In a press conference held earlier today, former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir – alongside several Barisan Nasional (BN) veterans – teamed up to condemn the charges brought upon 2 individuals under the anti-terrorism Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA)

Joining Tun M during the press conference, which was held in Perdana Leadership Foundation in Putrajaya, were **UMNO deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin**, **UMNO vice-president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal**, **Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah**, **former UMNO secretary-general Tan Sri Sanusi Junid** and **former MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat**.

Image via The Malaysian Insider

For context, former Batu Kawan UMNO vice-chief Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan and his lawyer, Matthias Chang were charged under SOSMA today, 12 October, for allegedly attempting to sabotage country's economy

Image via Najjua Zulkefli / The Malaysian Insider

In a prepared statement, which was also co-signed by former MCA chief Tun Dr. Ling Liong Sik, the group maintained that the duo's actions were not unlawful, adding that their arrest is an abuse of legal power to silence government critics as well as a violation of the law's purpose

Image via Muhyiddin Yassin's Facebook

They also demanded for Khairuddin and Chang to be released immediately, reminding PM Najib about his promise that SOSMA would not take away the rakyat's freedom to express their views and opinions

**Read the full statement (in Malay) [here](https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=870442339700993&id=112183975526837).**

Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, who is also the former Minister of Rural and Regional Development and a part of the Cabinet who approved SOSMA, said, "It was specific to terrorism and guarantees were given in Parliament that it won't be used for political reasons."

Image via Sinar TV's YouTube

Veteran UMNO leader Tan Sri Sanusi Junid expressed his surprise at the authorities' stand that removing the Prime Minister is a bigger terrorist threat than toppling the government

Image via Lim Huey Teng / Malaysiakini

Describing the duo's detention as "draconian" and a "3rd world act", Gua Musang MP Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah said that this is an inaccurate interpretation of SOSMA and urged the government to reconsider detaining citizens without representation

Image via The Star Online

Tengku Razaleigh added that UMNO's current system has failed its grassroots members whose voices have been drowned out by the upper leadership, adding that there should be a new system allowing members to have proper representation

Former Deputy PM Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin advised UMNO members to not be afraid to speak up against the party leadership if it is the right things to do, explaining that he knew many at the grassroots level are concerned but are not willing to express their views

Image via Kamal Ariffin / The Malaysian Insider

During the press conference, Mahathir also remarked on the "climate of fear" which has discouraged people from expressing their views, even if it's the truth, for fear of being detained by the authorities

Image via Saw Siow Feng / The Malay Mail Online

Mahathir added that he is prepared to be arrested and prosecuted under SOSMA as well.

"According to their the Government's interpretation of 'sabotage of government', anyone who says anything against the Prime Minister is about to topple the Government," he said.

Meanwhile, former MCA president Tan Sri Dato' Ong Tee Keat expressed his disappointment that MCA is still rallying their support for PM Najib despite accusations of corruption and power abuse

Image via Saw Siow Feng / The Malay Mail Online

Mahathir rehashed his call for a parliamentary vote of no-confidence against Najib, saying that it's a normal practice around the world and that it's the only way to remove a man who is abusing his position

Image via Kamal Ariffin / The Malaysian Insider

However, Tengku Razaleigh said that a no-confidence motion may not even materialise, as it is dependent on the Parliament speaker's prerogative

Electoral watchdog Bersih 2.0 has even launched a campaign to urge Malaysians to petition their respective MPs to call for a no-confidence vote against the Prime Minister:

All You Need To Know About Tun M & BN Leaders’ Press Conference On SOSMA “Abuse”

In a press conference held earlier today, former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir – alongside several Barisan Nasional (BN) veterans – teamed up to condemn the charges brought upon 2 individuals under the anti-terrorism Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA)

For context, former Batu Kawan UMNO vice-chief Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan and his lawyer, Matthias Chang were charged under SOSMA today, 12 October, for allegedly attempting to sabotage country's economy

In a prepared statement, which was also co-signed by former MCA chief Tun Dr. Ling Liong Sik, the group maintained that the duo's actions were not unlawful, adding that their arrest is an abuse of legal power to silence government critics as well as a violation of the law's purpose

They also demanded for Khairuddin and Chang to be released immediately, reminding PM Najib about his promise that SOSMA would not take away the rakyat's freedom to express their views and opinions

Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, who is also the former Minister of Rural and Regional Development and a part of the Cabinet who approved SOSMA, said, "It was specific to terrorism and guarantees were given in Parliament that it won't be used for political reasons."

Veteran UMNO leader Tan Sri Sanusi Junid expressed his surprise at the authorities' stand that removing the Prime Minister is a bigger terrorist threat than toppling the government

Describing the duo's detention as "draconian" and a "3rd world act", Gua Musang MP Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah said that this is an inaccurate interpretation of SOSMA and urged the government to reconsider detaining citizens without representation

Tengku Razaleigh added that UMNO's current system has failed its grassroots members whose voices have been drowned out by the upper leadership, adding that there should be a new system allowing members to have proper representation

Former Deputy PM Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin advised UMNO members to not be afraid to speak up against the party leadership if it is the right things to do, explaining that he knew many at the grassroots level are concerned but are not willing to express their views

During the press conference, Mahathir also remarked on the "climate of fear" which has discouraged people from expressing their views, even if it's the truth, for fear of being detained by the authorities

Mahathir added that he is prepared to be arrested and prosecuted under SOSMA as well.

"According to their the Government's interpretation of 'sabotage of government', anyone who says anything against the Prime Minister is about to topple the Government," he said.

Meanwhile, former MCA president Tan Sri Dato' Ong Tee Keat expressed his disappointment that MCA is still rallying their support for PM Najib despite accusations of corruption and power abuse

Mahathir rehashed his call for a parliamentary vote of no-confidence against Najib, saying that it's a normal practice around the world and that it's the only way to remove a man who is abusing his position

However, Tengku Razaleigh said that a no-confidence motion may not even materialise, as it is dependent on the Parliament speaker's prerogative

Electoral watchdog Bersih 2.0 has even launched a campaign to urge Malaysians to petition their respective MPs to call for a no-confidence vote against the Prime Minister:

Yet, Najib remains steadfast in staying on as Prime Minister:

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All You Need To Know About Tun M & BN Leaders’ Press Conference On SOSMA “Abuse”

In a press conference held earlier today, former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir – alongside several Barisan Nasional (BN) veterans – teamed up to condemn the charges brought upon 2 individuals under the anti-terrorism Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA)

For context, former Batu Kawan UMNO vice-chief Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan and his lawyer, Matthias Chang were charged under SOSMA today, 12 October, for allegedly attempting to sabotage country's economy

In a prepared statement, which was also co-signed by former MCA chief Tun Dr. Ling Liong Sik, the group maintained that the duo's actions were not unlawful, adding that their arrest is an abuse of legal power to silence government critics as well as a violation of the law's purpose

They also demanded for Khairuddin and Chang to be released immediately, reminding PM Najib about his promise that SOSMA would not take away the rakyat's freedom to express their views and opinions

Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, who is also the former Minister of Rural and Regional Development and a part of the Cabinet who approved SOSMA, said, "It was specific to terrorism and guarantees were given in Parliament that it won't be used for political reasons."

Veteran UMNO leader Tan Sri Sanusi Junid expressed his surprise at the authorities' stand that removing the Prime Minister is a bigger terrorist threat than toppling the government

Describing the duo's detention as "draconian" and a "3rd world act", Gua Musang MP Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah said that this is an inaccurate interpretation of SOSMA and urged the government to reconsider detaining citizens without representation

Tengku Razaleigh added that UMNO's current system has failed its grassroots members whose voices have been drowned out by the upper leadership, adding that there should be a new system allowing members to have proper representation

Former Deputy PM Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin advised UMNO members to not be afraid to speak up against the party leadership if it is the right things to do, explaining that he knew many at the grassroots level are concerned but are not willing to express their views

During the press conference, Mahathir also remarked on the "climate of fear" which has discouraged people from expressing their views, even if it's the truth, for fear of being detained by the authorities

Mahathir added that he is prepared to be arrested and prosecuted under SOSMA as well. "According to their the Government's interpretation of 'sabotage of government', anyone who says anything against the Prime Minister is about to topple the Government," he said.

Meanwhile, former MCA president Tan Sri Dato' Ong Tee Keat expressed his disappointment that MCA is still rallying their support for PM Najib despite accusations of corruption and power abuse

Mahathir rehashed his call for a parliamentary vote of no-confidence against Najib, saying that it's a normal practice around the world and that it's the only way to remove a man who is abusing his position

However, Tengku Razaleigh said that a no-confidence motion may not even materialise, as it is dependent on the Parliament speaker's prerogative

Electoral watchdog Bersih 2.0 has even launched a campaign to urge Malaysians to petition their respective MPs to call for a no-confidence vote against the Prime Minister:

Yet, Najib remains steadfast in staying on as Prime Minister:

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Mahathir added that he is prepared to be arrested and prosecuted under SOSMA as well.

"According to their the Government's interpretation of 'sabotage of government', anyone who says anything against the Prime Minister is about to topple the Government," he said.