KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 374 individuals have been detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) from January last year to Sept 30 this year, says the Home Ministry.

       It said the Special Branch arrested 62 individuals from that number, seven of them for militant activities and the other 55 for human trafficking and smuggling of migrants.

       The ministry also said 29 individuals were charged as a result, four of them tried under Section 130JB (1)(a) of the Penal Code, while the other 25 were tried under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (Atipsom).

       Section 130JB provides for offences of possessing items associated with terrorist groups or the commission of a terrorist act.

       The other 312 individuals were nabbed by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over offences related to organised crime, the ministry said in a written reply to R. Sivarasa (PH-Sungai Buloh), who asked about the number of individuals arrested and charged under Sosma.

       Sivarasa also asked in the Dewan Rakyat if the government had any intentions of amending Sosma.

       Responding to Sivarasa on Wednesday (Oct 27), the ministry said the government still viewed Sosma as a relevant and important law to ensure public harmony and national security.

       "The police still need such laws because immediate action can be taken to avoid any public anxiety, racial clashes and threats to the welfare of the people," it said.

       "Nevertheless, the ministry remains committed to improving the law from time to time to ensure national security and peace," it added.