Cenbet also called on the police to stop using the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) against non-terror suspects.
“The Inspector-General of Police must explain why Sosma was used to detain Maria,” said Cenbet in a statement. “The law was originally intended to counter terrorism.”
Khalid Abu Bakar, the IGP, owed the public an explanation as to how and why Maria was a threat to national security, it added. “The explanation has to be specific, in clear terms, in line with transparency and good governance.”
Failure to give a satisfactory explanation was not only unprofessional, said the think tank, it was also an abuse of power and might be criminal misconduct.
Worse, said Cenbet, it might open the floodgates to similar abuses.
“This goes against the spirit of openness pledged by Prime Minister Najib Razak,” it said. “During a speech on Sept 16, 2011, he announced the repeal or review of regressive laws like the ISA, Restricted Residence Act and Printing Presses and Publication Act.”
As an activist, said Cenbet, Maria did not pose the same kind of threat as a terrorist on a suicide mission.
“We do not see any justification at all to detain her under Sosma,” it said.
When Sosma was introduced in 2012 to replace the Internal Security Act (ISA), it recalled, the government had given an assurance the new law would be used only against terror suspects.
At that time, it continued, there had been much disquiet over how the ISA had been abused over the years to quell dissent by way of detention without trial.
Given Maria’s detention under Sosma, the government had gone back on its words, Cenbet said.
“It has also reverted to outdated policing practices,” said Cenbet. “It goes against international norms on basic civil liberties.”