GEORGE TOWN: An emergency motion to condemn the detention of Bersih leader Maria Chin Abdullah under anti-terrorism laws was unanimously passed by the Penang Legislative Assembly today.
The motion was proposed by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (DAP-Air Putih), who said that Chin’s arrest was a clear abuse of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).
“Chin is not a terrorist but a leader of a civil society.
“We strongly condemn the misuse of Sosma to detain her, as the law should not be used to prosecute politicians or civil society activists that are anti-Barisan Nasional.
“We also find her solitary confinement inhumane and urge that she be freed without any condition immediately,” he said.
The motion was supported by Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon, who echoed Lim’s sentiments, added that Maria was a Muslim woman and a single mother.
Speaker Law Choo Kiang then allowed the debate on the motion after receiving majority support from the members.
Some 10 Pakatan Harapan lawmakers and a Barisan Nasional lawmaker took part in the debate.
During the debate, a shouting match ensued between Dr Afif Bahardin (Seberang Jaya - PKR) and Datuk Roslan Saidin (Pinang Tunggal - BN), which led to Roslan being thrown out by the Speaker.
Roslan left the August hall together with other BN lawmakers in an act of solidarity.
Maria, who is chairperson of Bersih 2.0, the organisers of Bersih 5, was detained on Friday, the eve of the rally under Sosma. Under the law, the police may detain Maria for up to 28 days and withhold legal representation for two days.