Addressing the Dewan Rakyat while winding up the debate on the royal address for his ministry, Saifuddin explained that the teenager was detained after being found in the same vehicle as her father, who was arrested during a police operation targeting migrant smuggling activities. He said the father was believed to be acting as a transporter in a syndicate involved in moving migrants across borders, making the girl a key witness in the case.
According to the minister, the arrest took place during an investigation into the smuggling of migrants from Myanmar into Malaysia via the Thai border. He stressed that migrant smuggling is a serious transnational crime that warrants firm action under existing security laws. The teenager was held for nine days under Section 4 of Sosma to facilitate investigations.
Saifuddin’s explanation came amid questions from Members of Parliament over the use of Sosma, particularly involving minors. Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh raised concerns over whether the government would consider imposing a moratorium on arrests under the law until proposed amendments are tabled. In response, Saifuddin said there would be no temporary halt to Sosma enforcement, adding that existing legal provisions would continue to be applied where necessary.
However, he confirmed that the Cabinet has approved efforts to amend Sosma and that the Home Ministry would soon begin consultations with relevant stakeholders. He said the government was targeting the July or August 2026 parliamentary sitting to table the proposed amendments.
The minister acknowledged longstanding criticisms of Sosma, including the denial of bail and prolonged delays in legal proceedings. He said the government was exploring reforms such as categorising offences based on their severity and accelerating case handling. The establishment of a special court to hear Sosma-related cases was also under consideration, given the lengthy duration of such trials.
Public scrutiny intensified after reports emerged of the teenager’s detention following a roadblock near the Jitra toll plaza in Kedah. Her mother had appealed for her release, saying the family vehicle was stopped on suspicion of being used for migrant smuggling. The girl, her father, and other occupants were subsequently taken into custody.
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