THE Royal Malaysian Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (JSJ) has confirmed that no arrests or detentions of minors were carried out under the Special Measures Against Terrorism Act 2012 (SOSMA) on 15 February, contradicting recent claims made by Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM).
JSJ Director Datuk M Kumar stated that a review of departmental records showed no detention involving a 17-year-old on the date in question.
“There is no record of detention of a 17-year-old on 15 February as alleged,” he said, emphasising that the clarification pertains specifically to actions by JSJ.
He added that other departments within the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) may hold jurisdiction over arrests and investigations under SOSMA.
“However, there are other units within PDRM that have the authority to detain and investigate under SOSMA,” Kumar noted.
Earlier, SUARAM had alleged that at least six minors were detained by police under the same act. Executive Director Azura Nasron claimed that two of the alleged juveniles, aged 17, were held at Bukit Aman following arrests on 15 February.
The report stated that the matter arose after the parents of one of the teenagers sought assistance from the Pengkalan Kundor state assemblywoman, Mardhiyyah Johari, who is also a lawyer, following an arrest in Alor Setar, Kedah.
Correspondence with families also reportedly indicated that another 17-year-old boy was arrested in Langkawi on the same day under similar allegations.
SUARAM further claimed that preliminary information provided to families suggested that at least four additional minors were detained on that day, bringing the alleged total to six under SOSMA.
The teenager whose parents lodged the complaint was reportedly arrested on allegations of possessing prohibited security-related materials.
The human rights group noted that no further information regarding the identities, locations, reasons for detention, or conditions of the other alleged detainees had been provided.
The JSJ statement provides a direct refutation of SUARAM’s claims, clarifying that no minors were apprehended under their jurisdiction on 15 February, though the status of actions by other police units remains a separate matter. - March 3, 2026
