KUALA LUMPUR: Lawmakers cannot be the only voices shaping national security laws.
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul has urged universities, civil society and the Bar Council to play a greater role in reforming the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).
Speaking at a press conference at the Bar Council yesterday, he said debates confined to Parliament are insufficient given the limited sitting days each year and the complexity of national security legislation.
“We cannot rely only on traditional structures. The way we think now must be different. We must use other platforms to convey key messages.”
Also present were Bar Council president Datuk Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab and member Kokila Vani Vadiveloo.
Johari called on universities, the Bar Council and parliamentary special select committees to organise seminars, forums and public discussions so a wider range of voices could contribute to deliberations on Sosma and other legislative matters.
“As I said, I listened very carefully to the debate on Sosma and there were many valuable points raised.
“We should not stop here because many stakeholders want their views taken seriously, not just MPs but also external groups. Engagement outside Parliament helps the Executive understand issues more clearly.”
He added that relying solely on parliamentary debates, which may not always raise recurring or structural concerns, limits the scope of reform.
“If questions only come up during sittings, and they do not always arise, then some issues would never get addressed. That is why universities and the Bar must make this a tradition, especially law faculties.”
He affirmed that he was calling for more dialogue beyond parliamentary proceedings.
“Not just on Sosma but also on many issues. Climate issues, for example; we are facing problems due to our own mistakes.
“We cannot allow this to continue. Discussions must happen outside Parliament, with universities, NGOs and civil society.”
He also said Parliament convenes only three times a year, each packed with legislative and budgetary matters, making it impossible to dedicate sufficient time to every major concern.
“Parliament should not be confined to the parliamentary building, it must live in the public sphere.”
When asked about calls to repeal Sosma, Johari declined to comment on policy direction.
“That is the Executive’s narrative. I do not want to be involved. My only suggestion is to open the discussion. I do not have the data and should not interfere.”
Meanwhile, Mohamad Ezri said the Bar Council remains firm in its call for repealing Sosma.
“We have a resolution on Sosma, and we have called on the government to act.
“One of the steps we have taken is issuing a circular to all our members, asking them to alert us to any problematic cases so that we could step in, either as counsel or observers. That is what we have done so far.”
