Anti-Sedition Act group more determined after attack at Speakers Square

A day after their peaceful gathering, to voice opposition to the Sedition Act 1948 was rudely disrupted, members of the Gerakan Hapus Akta Hasutan (GHAH) are now more determined to pursue their cause.

The group's Penang coordinator Ong Jing Cheng said the members were deliberating and would meet to decide on the course of action to take following the incident at the Speakers Square in George Town yesterday.

He said that GHAH was now more encouraged to see through its agenda and campaign to have the Act repealed.

It is also preparing a coach to transport Penangites who are interested in lending support to the Bar Council's march to oppose the Sedition Act in Kuala Lumpur on October 16, he said.

Ong's speech was cut short yesterday as a mob, some of whom wore t-shirts that displayed support for the Sedition Act, heckled and pushed him after the event started at about 6pm.

The mob claimed to belonged to a coalition of NGOs, which includes Perkasa, calling themselves Persatuan Gabungan Melayu Islam Pulau Pinang.

GHAH is supported by 128 bodies, including Suaram, Lawyers for Liberty, Amnesty International Malaysia, Aliran and Pertubuhan Ikram Malaysia.

In a statement yesterday, GHAH described the incident as yet another demonstration of "premeditated and organised attacks" against demands for broadening of democratic rights and freedoms.

It said it would persist with its focus to repeal the Sedition Act, while also demanding that all charges under the Act to be dropped and those convicted be released, and that there be no replacement legislation of similar draconian provisions.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng described the mob's conduct as dangerous and called for police action against the perpetrators.

He condemned the aggressive behaviour and abusive language used by the group.

Calling them "Umno hooligans", he berated them for chasing away people who were only the giving their views on opposing a piece of legislation in a public sphere like Speakers Square.

Lim noted that besides members of Suaram and other NGOs, the gathering was also attended by former Penang state executive councillor Datuk Dr Toh Kin Woon, who is the north peninsular vice-chairman for the electoral reform group Bersih.

"There was derogatory and racist language used, like 'babi' (pigs) and 'Jews'," he said at a press conference in his office today. “I feel that is very dangerous and coarse.”

"It was not only rude and insolent, but they also broke the law.” he said.

"We hope the police can seriously take heed of the incident and take appropriate action."

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had in July 2012 announced the repeal of the Sedition Act 1948.

However, since the 13th general election in May last year, there has been a slew of people targetted under the Act. – October 13, 2014.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/anti-sedition-act-group-more-determined-after-attack-at-penangs-speakers-sq#sthash.DSDny5yt.dpuf