Friday 29 Mar 2024
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This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on November 14, 2019

KUALA LUMPUR: Lawyers representing Melaka state executive councillor G Saminathan told the High Court here yesterday that they had sent a representation letter to Attorney-General (AG) Tan Sri Tommy Thomas over the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) on Monday.

The letter concerns a request for bail that involves constitutional issues.

Counsel Ramkarpal Singh, who is leading the team that also comprises RSN Rayer and KA Ramu, said the AG may need some time to study it and suggested that yesterday’s hearing of the constitutional challenge be vacated.

Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Muhammad Iskandar Ahmad confirmed that the prosecution had received the representation letter.

“I am supposed to meet the AG on Friday (tomorrow) to brief him on it,” he said.

Justice Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali asked Muhammad Iskandar whether a decision can be expected on the same day and the DPP replied that it was uncertain.

Following that, Ramkarpal suggested a short hearing date be fixed.

Justice Mohd Nazlan said he can only accommodate on Nov 26 at 4pm. Both parties agreed with the proposed date.

Saminathan, 34, who is the Gadek assemblyman, has been charged under Sosma for allegedly giving support to terrorist group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam through his Facebook account.

Eleven others have similarly been charged under Sosma. Offences under Sosma are non-bailable.

The lawyers are seeking that Saminathan be allowed bail while waiting for the trial.

Last week, habeas corpus applications for Saminathan and four others were dismissed by another High Court judge.

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