KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here set Nov 29 to hear the habeas corpus application filed by Bersih 2.0 leader Maria Chin Abdullah to challenge her detention under the Security Offences (Special Measures) (Sosma) Act 2012.
Judicial Commissioner Datuk Nordin Hassan set the date in chambers yesterday in the presence of counsel Prof Gurdial Singh Nijar representing Maria as the applicant.
Maria was also represented by lawyers Datuk S Ambiga, Eric Paulsen and Melissa Sasidaran, while senior federal counsel Mohammad Al-Saifi Hashim appeared for Bukit Aman’s classified Crimes Investigations unit head Supt Tham Lai Kuan, the Inspector-General of Police, Home Minister and the Government of Malaysia as the respondents.
Speaking to reporters later, Prof Gurdial said the court also ordered all respondents to submit their reply to the affidavit supporting Maria’s application which was filed by her son, Azumin Mohamad Yunus, on Nov 28.
On Nov 22, Maria filed the habeas corpus application to seek an order that she be brought to the court during hearing of the application, and that she be released immediately and not be arrested or detained after that.
She is also seeking an order that she be spared any imposition under the Sosma Act or other orders.
Meanwhile, Azumin, 23, in his supporting affidavit said his mother’s detention under Sosma was not valid, a breach of the law and mala fide in nature as no reason was given by the respondents for arresting her under the law.
Azumin said his mother was arrested at her office at Block A, Pusat Perniagaan 8 Avenue, Petaling Jaya at 3.10pm last Nov 18, which was the eve of the Bersih 5 rally.
He said his mother did not know where she was being detained as she would be blindfolded every time she was taken out of the place. — Bernama