I have been briefed by the police that they have their own reason to act and I am satisfied with their explanation,” says Dr Mahathir

by AFIQ AZIZ/ pic by MUHD AMIN NAHARUL

PRIME Minister (PM) Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he is satisfied with the police action to arrest 12 individuals allegedly linked to the defunct Sri Lankan militant group — Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

Dr Mahathir said the police, has the ground to use the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) in the investigation.

“I have been briefed by the police that they have their own reason to act and I am satisfied with their explanation,” Dr Mahathir said after officiating SEGi University international conference and exhibition on Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0) in Petaling Jaya, Selangor yesterday.

“Sosma is still there. So, in the absence of other alternative law, Sosma can be applied,” he explained.

Under the Act, the police can detain an individual up to 28 days for investigation.

Among those arrested include two DAP assemblymen and four party members.

DAP leaders had appealed for the police to release the detainees, stating that LTTE has been defunct and that DAP is not involved with any terrorist organisation.

According to reports, the arrest is a result of Bukit Aman’s Special Branch Counter-Terrorism Division probe since last November.

The division chief Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said the police found large financial transactions allegedly to reactive the LTTE.

Penang deputy chief minister, P Ramasamy — one of the strongest critics on the arrest — has called for Putrajaya to amend provisions in Sosma, describing the law as “draconian” and should not be in the Pakatan Harapan’s rule.

He said all of the arrested personnel should be charged under the penal code which provides bail, legal representation and evidence to court.

Earlier in his speech, Dr Mahathir urged university management to start focusing on research and develoment capabilities in solving real industry problems, including case studies to enhance productivity and return on investment.

This, he said could provide a strong value proposition for the industries and further improve the quality of education systems in Malaysia.

“There must be more research done on transforming the SMEs towards technology driven businesses.

“We need more customised technologies to suit the Malaysian industries and IR4.0 could be a new beginning for local technology developers and researchers,” Dr Mahathir said.

He added that digital transformation is expected to accelerate a more sustainable future for Malaysia and drive a greater gross development product per capita via the productivity improvement.

“Our Industry4WRD policy aims at increasing productivity in the manufacturing sector per person in Malaysia by 30% from RM106,647.

“This would elevate the absolute contribution of the manufacturing sector to our economy by 54% from RM254 billion to RM392 billion,” Dr Mahathir said.