Anti-terror law used to strike fear in Umno members, says Saifuddin

Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah speaks during press conference protesting against the abuse of the Special Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Seth Akmal, October 7, 2015. 

The detention of a former Umno man under an anti-terrorism law for speaking up against Datuk Seri Najib Razak and 1Malaysia Development Berhad is meant to strike fear in other members of the party, said Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.

Saifuddin, a former Umno Supreme Council member, said the Special Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) was used against former Batu Kawan Umno division chief Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan as he had been a politician from the ruling party.

Saifuddin also wondered if the preventive detention law would be used against Najib's critic, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“I'm not saying that if he (Khairuddin) wasn't from Umno, that he would not be subjected to Sosma.

“That he is from Umno and top leaders from Umno want to make sure he shuts his mouths to strike fear in Umno members. So that you guys better zip your mouth,” Saifuddin said today at a press conference organised by activists to condemn the abuse of Sosma.

“That's why I said, if they are dare, arrest Dr Mahathir too. (But) I'm not suggesting that they do it,” he added.

Saifuddin said the Umno leadership "understood perfectly" that it was only the party that could bring down party president Najib, who is also the prime minister and finance minister.

“At this moment in time, in all practicality, it is Umno that can bring down the prime minister,” he said at the press conference, which he attended in his capacity as chairman of Akademi Belia.

- TMI