KUALA LUMPUR, 19 February- Amendments to the Security Offenses (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA) aim to balance national security needs with individual fundamental rights, said Home Minister, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

He said the move is to ensure SOSMA remains effective in dealing with serious, complex and structured crimes that threaten national security and public order.

"As such, the Ministry of Home Affairs has formulated three key directions in improving SOSMA, including revising the list of non-bailable offences, by examining the 73 existing offences."

"Secondly, consideration of the establishment of a Special Court, to speed up the trial process of cases related to SOSMA, as well as the study of Section 30 regarding detention until the legal process is completed, as evidence of the government's willingness to move away from the status quo without neglecting the safety and rights of the individuals involved," he said.

Saifuddin said this during a ministerial briefing on SOSMA in the Dewan Rakyat, here today.

In the meantime, he informed that a Special Committee will be formed to refine proposed amendments, with the findings presented as soon as possible.

"The sooner this Special Committee produces findings, the sooner we can present them. We have a July session, a Budget session and a February session next year," Saifuddin said.

The minister added that, while the improvement process is underway, the government will not take a careless attitude in dealing with the threat of violent crime and organized crime that still exists in the country.