A total of 33 families in Sungai Petani were left in the lurch after police took away their sole breadwinners under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma), about 27 months ago.

Two years later, the men aged 22 to 60 are still in remand detention after being subsequently charged under the Penal Code and waiting for their court hearing.

One of the detainee’s wife was pregnant when he was arrested, so he has not had a chance to...