PETALING JAYA, Oct 16 — There is a pressing need for the federal government to clarify what exactly the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) 2012 is for, amid growing criticism over the use of the anti-terrorism law on two critics of state-owned 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), former federal minister Tan Sri Rais Yatim said today.

Rais acknowledged that the authorities have made efforts to explain the use of the Act on former Penang Umno leader Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan and his lawyer Matthias Chang, but stressed that the responsibility remains on Putrajaya’s shoulders to clear any and all doubts.

“Perhaps this is the time for our leader to come out with an official one version explanation from A to Z, but to do that we need to request the authorities to complete their investigations,” he said, in an apparent reference to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Rais did not specify what investigations he was referring to, though it likely has to do with an ongoing probe on 1MDB.

The state-owned investment firm is due to be hauled up before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee for questioning once the Dewan Rakyat reconvenes next Monday though a special multi-government agency task force scrutinising it was disbanded in end of July, after a new attorney-general was appointed replacing Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, who was a member of the government investigation team.

Najib’s administration recently came under harsh criticism by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and several other senior Barisan Nasional leaders, who claimed earlier this week that the use of Sosma on Khairuddin and Chang was an abuse of power.

Khairuddin and Chang were detained and investigated under Sosma before they were subsequently charged on Wednesday with attempting to sabotage the banking system with reports they lodged with foreign authorities over the 1MDB controversy.

Rais today said everyone, including Dr Mahathir, has the right to speak out on what they believe should be done to benefit the country and its political system.

“He has his right, at the same time the government has its right to answer. We would suggest strongly that the answering be done in a systematic way and not too many parties chipping in so as to confuse the issue,” he said, suggesting that Najib’s office come out with an “omnibus explanation”.

Rais noted that the current situation remains muddied as there are too many claims and allegations being thrown about, causing unease among the public.

“And I’m sure the business community, as well as the civil servants and the kampung and luar bandar people, as well as the town folk... they want a change now, they want an atmosphere of congeniality back.

“We do hope our PM is at a point of greater strength to bring about this kind of outcome,” he said.