KUALA LUMPUR: Children must not be detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma), says the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam). Its chief children’s commissioner Dr Farah Nini Dusuki has called for the immediate repeal of any Sosma provisions allowing the detention of minors without trial. “This overriding safeguard was disregarded, resulting in a clear violation of the child’s rights,” she said. Farah Nini said Suhakam is deeply concerned that the child was denied the safeguard provided under Section 13(2)(a) and (b) of Sosma. “As the Act permits detention without trial, it is fundamentally incompatible with child rights standards and any provision allowing for the detention of children under Sosma should be repealed in its entirety,” she said.

Source: The Star January 28, 2026 10:59 UTC