This item has been updated since initial publication.
16 October 2014 (Thursday)
Padang Merbok Car Park, Kuala Lumpur
The
Malaysian Bar is walking for peace and freedom tomorrow (16 October
2014) as part of its campaign to repeal the Sedition Act 1948 (“Act”),
and for a moratorium on the use of the Act pending its repeal. The Walk
for Peace and Freedom 2014 is a public show of support for the Prime
Minister’s call for inclusiveness and for the voices of the moderates to
be heard.
No
freedom is without limits. Incitements to, threats of or acts of
racial or religious violence, and bringing into hatred the Royal
Institution, are not acceptable in Malaysia.
These
should, however, be dealt with by other legislation. There are, for
instance, existing provisions in the Penal Code that provide for the
crimes of causing disharmony, disunity and feelings of enmity and hatred
on the grounds of religion, criminal intimidation, insulting with the
intent to provoke a breach of peace, making statements conducive to
public mischief, and offences against the Rulers. New legislation and
policies to foster unity and harmony should be considered.
The
Malaysian Bar recognises that Islam is the religion of the Federation
and other religions may be practised in peace and harmony; the special
positions of the Malays and natives of any of the States of Sabah and
Sarawak and the legitimate interests of other communities; and the
sovereignty of the Rulers — these are clearly set out in the Federal
Constitution. The Malaysian Bar upholds the Federal Constitution as the
supreme law of the land. The call to repeal the Act is not a challenge
to those provisions.
The
Royal Institution, for example, is an integral and important part of
our nation-building. There are extremist elements that seek to drive a
wedge between Malaysians and polarise our society. Do not allow them to
succeed. Malaysians look to the Rulers to be Rulers and champions for
all Malaysians, and not only for a segment of Malaysians.
The
Malaysian Bar recalls the preamble to the Rukun Negara: we are a nation
dedicated to achieving a greater unity of all her peoples; seeking to
maintain a democratic way of life; creating a just society; ensuring a
liberal approach to Malaysia’s rich and diverse cultural traditions; and
building a progressive society and nation.
In
furtherance of the aspirations and values inherent in the Rukun Negara,
the Malaysian Bar supports lively debates and frank discourse, and
welcomes differences in opinions. Freedom of speech and expression of
thought help build and develop a nation seeking to nurture and maintain
long-term peace, bonds of unity, real mutual respect and lasting
harmony. The Act undermines these aspirations of right-thinking and
moderate Malaysians. An inclusive approach, as stated by the Prime
Minister, is the way forward as Malaysia aspires to be of developed
status by 2020.
Christopher Leong
President
Malaysian Bar
15 October 2014
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