So what happens to National Harmony Act, asks Mujahid

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has reneged on his promise to repeal the Sedition Act, despite having tasked the National Unity Consultative Council to draft a new bill, council member Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa said today.

He also said that the NUCC – formed under the Prime Minister's Department – had been tasked with providing input on a new law to replace the Sedition Act, adding that this had already been completed.

"The prime minister, who is also Umno president, had in July 2012 pledged to replace the Sedition Act with the National Harmony Act on grounds that the Sedition Act was no longer relevant.

"So how did it become relevant again in 2014?" Mujahid asked in a statement today.

He said the NUCC's Law and Policy Committee had given its input and conducted public discussions in preparation of the new bill.

Even the draft had been handed over to the council's main committee and to the Prime Minister's Department, Mujahid said.

"By strengthening the Sedition Act, the prime minister is sending a wrong signal that this colonial era law needs to be maintained when the environment today demands more relevant laws to suit current times," he added.

Mujahid said the Sedition Act also had a low burden of proof and was exposed to misuse as to the meaning of the word sedition.

He added that in contrast, the proposed National Harmony Act tightened the burden of proof aspect and also offered protection on freedom of speech.

According to Mujahid, PAS in its recent muktamar had also passed a motion supporting the abolishment of the Sedition Act, to be replaced with a better legislation to protect national harmony.

"It is clear by the prime minister's announcement that he does not have a solid stand and has reneged on his promise to repeal the act.

"Has the prime minister bowed down to the extremists in Umno that want the Sedition Act to be maintained?" – November 27, 2014.

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Harmony laws will protect royals and Malays’ special position, says A-G

New National Harmony laws may end up further tightening Putrajaya's grip on free speech on the topics of race, special privileges and the royal institution, judging from a recent speech by Attorney-General Tan Sri Gani Patail.

The country's top prosecutor said that among the principles set down by the prime minister for the new laws, there must be nothing that "would incite hatred and contempt or disloyalty to the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong or any Ruler".

All provisions regarding the different ethnic groups in Malaysia under Articles 152, 153 and 181 of the Federal Constitution would also be protected, Gani said.

"The new law would also proscribe promotion of ill will and enmity among races or different groups of peoples in Malaysia, and would prohibit the questioning of any rights, position, privileges, sovereignty and prerogatives as prescribed or protected under the provisions (of the Federal Constitution)," the text of his speech at the recent Ilkap National Law Conference 2014 said.

Gani was talking about the current debate over the Sedition Act 1948 and whether it should be repealed or amended and retained alongside National Harmony laws to regulate race relations.

The A-G likened the current debate as a "nationalistic struggle" about the future of the colonial-era law, enacted by the British and broad in its definition of what can be deemed seditious as well as loose in requiring proof of seditious intent.

"Those that advocate its wholesale repeal and substitution with a 'national harmony', 'race relations' or 'hate-crime' type legislation modeled on the laws in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and the United States of America say that (the Sedition Act) is archaic.

"However, those that fear its repeal will lead to social disorder, anarchy or compromise of the special position of the Malay Rulers, which in turn would jeopardise the Malay Rulers ability to uphold Islam and safeguard Malay/Bumiputra rights, now argue for its retention," the A-G said.

He reiterated that the government was still in talks with various groups about the new national harmony laws, and it was still undecided if there would be new legislation, or if the Sedition Act would merely be amended.

Gani said the government "refused to be hurried" despite pressure from civil society on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to uphold his promise, which was first made in July 2012, to repeal the Sedition Act.

The A-G indicated, however, that he was open to having separate laws to deal with contempt of court and criticism of the government if there was "consensus" that such criticism should no longer be treated as having seditious tendencies.

He said he was personally of the view that contempt of court should come under a separate law, but that issues related to the Malays' and Bumiputeras' special position, the Malay Rulers and the position of Islam should remain in the Sedition Act.

"I believe it would be a problem to take these out of the realm of sedition and the Sedition Act 1948. I would like to make it clear that this is because these matters are embodied in the Federal Constitution.

Therefore, they will have to be protected under the Sedition Act 1948 unless those provisions themselves are first amended.

The position of Islam and the citizenship rights of the non-Malays must also be similarly protected," Gani said.

But he also said the rights of non-Malays under Part III of the constitution on citizenship requirements, should be similarly protected as these were "part of the social contract".

The proposed National Harmony laws are being drafted by the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC), a government committee under the purview of the National Unity and Integration Department.

The council, which comprises senior civil servants, academicians, civil society representatives and even an opposition MP from PAS, recently drew flak from ruling government MPs who said that it had jumped the gun in releasing its draft to the public, giving the impression that Putrajaya had endorsed the draft.

The NUCC's work appears to be in doubt, based on Gani's speech in which he said that the A-G's Chambers would be "taking up the gauntlet to prepare this new era legislation for Malaysia". – November 19, 2014.

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Transparency pledge on new bill

The New Straits Times
by AZURA ABAS

PUTRAJAYA: THE government will be judicious and transparent in deciding whether to introduce the Harmony Act or retain the Sedition Act.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said sound judgment based on the collective views of all stakeholders would guide any decision to enact changes that affect the people, including on the fate of the Sedition Act.

“Have trust that the process will be done judiciously and transparently, albeit in a controlled environment,” he said at the monthly gathering of the Prime Minister’s Department here yesterday.

“As a result, the country will hopefully emerge more harmonious, formidable, stable and successful.”

Najib said the government would not compromise on the stability, harmony and unity that the country had been founded on.

“Whether we want the Harmony Act or maintain the Sedition Act, it must be done in a rational manner by introducing better laws as their replacement after obtaining the views of all stakeholders.

“As a government, we will not do things that can trigger uneasiness, uncertainty and worry in any community, be it the Malays or other races.”

Najib also called for understanding on why some communities reacted the way they had to certain issues.

“In this situation (referring to the Sedition Act), the Malays are more vocal about issues close to their heart such as Islam, the Malay sultans and Article 153 of the Federal Constitution (on Bumiputera rights).”

Najib said the government would not indulge in any decision that would upset the status quo.

“I want to explain this before things get out of control,” he said, adding that the government’s priority has always been the wellbeing of the people and nation.

On getting ahead amid fierce global competition, Najib said it was crucial for Malaysians to attain a global outlook.

“When the deputy prime minister brought up the move to make it compulsory to secure a pass in the English subject at university level, it is to prepare the people to be more competitive and driven for success.”

Najib said having a global outlook would push Malaysia ahead in the race to develop the nation.

Describing 2014 as a year defined by the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 and crash of flight MH17, Najib said Malaysians must learn from the tragedies.

“Who can imagine something happening on the other side of the world (Ukraine) can affect us here?

“What can we learn from the two tragedies? They show us that we are in a world that is hyper-connected; multi-directional and interdependent.”

Najib also pointed out on the importance of ensuring Malaysia’s economy continued to stay robust for Malaysians to reap the benefits, including the availability of jobs. The unemployment rate is now 2.8 per cent.

Meanwhile, the Perdana Putra complex where the prime minister’s office is located has been accorded a platinum rating in the Green Building Index (GBI) for being more energy efficient.

“In 2010, Perdana Putra had a building energy intensity of 138. Today, it has a building energy intensity of just 85,” Najib said at the GBI certificate award ceremony yesterday.

The GBI is Malaysia’s recognised green rating tool for buildings to promote sustainability in the built environment and raise awareness among developers, architects, engineers, planners, designers, contractors and the public about environmental issues and one’s responsibility to future generations.

After Perdana Putra building was retrofitted with green technology, the complex has reduced its energy intensity by 38 per cent; annual water usage by 40 per cent; carbon dioxide emission (33 per cent); and cold water (69 per cent).

“It is my intention that this project will become a catalyst for similar initiatives across Malaysia.

“Beyond Perdana Putra, I would like to see the entire city of Putrajaya transformed into a green, smart and connected city showcasing Malaysia’s economic and technological advancement.”

Present were Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa.

Harmony bill needs study, not ready this year, says minister

The Malaysian Insider

The National Harmony Bill, among the laws being proposed to replace the Sedition Act 1948, may not be ready this year as it needs more scrutiny before it can be tabled in Parliament, said a minister.

"We need to really consider...(it) is better to have something that is really useful to the people, something that will help (to unite) the people instead of causing more break ups among the people. You see that what is happening now is provocation through the social media," Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Nancy Shukri (pic), was quoted as saying by Bernama.

The bill is among two other bills proposed to replace the Sedition Act 1948. They are the Racial and Religious Hate Crimes Bill, which outlaws hate speech, and the National Harmony and Reconciliation Commission Bill, which sets out the scope of the body which will hear discrimination disputes before they go to court.

The three bills have been submitted to Nancy by the National Unity Consultative Council's Policies to Promote National Harmony and Legislation Committee.

Some quarters have voiced reservations about the bill while calling for Sedition Act to be maintained.

Last month, Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he wanted certain elements in the Sedition Act to be incorporated.

"Racial, religious and cultural issues should be comprehensively covered in the National Harmony Act," said Zahid.

Nancy said it was difficult to set a time frame for the completion of the bill's draft, adding that the Attorney-General's Chamber was still studying feedback from  various parties, and working with the National Unity Department. – August 5, 2014.

'Harmony Bills must be consistent'

The Star
by MAZWIN NIK ANIS

KUALA LUMPUR: The proposed National Harmony Bills must not compromise “the letter and spirit” of the Federal Constitution, including the position of the Malays and bumiputra, said Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin.

He said Umno Youth had identified four areas that must not be affected by the Bills and they would submit a memorandum to a committee in the party that was tasked to ensure the new laws would be in sync with its position.

The new Bills, he said, must also punish those who insult Malay Rulers as well as any race and religion professed in the country.

“We want the Bills to be consistent with the Federal Constitution particularly Articles 3, 152, 153 and 181,” he said after chairing the movement’s exco meeting.

Khairy said the new laws must also ensure that affirmative action or the Government’s agenda to empower the Malays and bumiputra were not deemed discriminatory practices.

The movement also wants the Bills to ensure there would be no discrimination towards any citizen based on one’s religion, ethnic background, birthplace or sex as stated under Article 8 of the Constitution.

“However, the issue of discrimination must stop at that. There must be no further inclusion,” he said in reference to attempts to include a clause in the new law to state that there would be no discrimination against any person based on sexual orientation.

Khairy said the meeting also supported Johor Umno Youth’s call for a fee to be imposed on Singapore-registered vehicles, saying that it was time the Government earned some revenue from such vehicles that were on Malaysian roads.

“We need to start imposing such fees and make sure those with unpaid traffic summonses cannot enter Malaysia.

“We have been very generous but unfortunately, such treatment has not been reciprocated. We were hoping that Singapore would lower fees on foreign vehicles but they raised it instead,” he said, adding that the matter would be raised in Cabinet today.

Singapore had recently announced that foreign vehicles were to pay S$35 (RM89) a day to enter the island republic. This was up from S$20 (RM51) previously.

Insisting that the proposal was not “tit-for-tat”, Khairy dispelled concerns that the move would deter Singaporeans from visiting Malaysia, hence affecting tourism and businesses.

“I don’t see why Singaporeans will stop visiting just because of the few ringgit that we impose on them,” he added.

Proses pendakwaan lebih ketat dalam RUU Kebencian Kaum & Agama

Melayu, Islam tidak terlepas dari Akta Keharmonian, kata Najib

Akta Keharmonian yang dicadangkan Majlis Konsultasi Perpaduan Nasional (MKPN) tidak akan terlepas dari menyentuh kepentingan Melayu dan Islam, kata Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Perdana Menteri berkata Umno melalui biro perlembagaan dan undang-undangnya akan menubuhkan satu jawatankuasa kecil bagi menulusuri akta berkenaan dan memberi cadangan kepada pihak kerajaan.

"Kita akan lihat dari segi keseluruhan segala aspek termasuk apa yang kita fikirkan penting dalam konteks perjuangan Umno maknanya soal kedudukan Islam, kedudukan orang Melayu dan raja-raja.

"Umno harus beri cadangan serta pendapat berkenaan akta keharmonian. Oleh itu satu jawatankuasa kecil ditubuhkan di bawah biro perlembagaan dan undang-undang untuk mengkaji perkara ini dan membuat cadangan untuk pertimbangan pihak kerajaan," katanya pada. satu sidang media selepas mempengerusikan mesyuarat Majlis Tertinggi Umno di Kuala Lumpur hari ini.

Akta Keharmonian yang dicadangkan MKPN adalah bertujuan bagi menggantikan Akta Hasutan 1948 supaya mereka yang mengeluarkan ucapan kebencian kaum dan agama dapat dituduh di bawah akta berkenaan.

Bekas Ketua Hakim Negara Tun Abdul Hamid Mohamad sebelum ini mendakwa kerajaan secara sengaja atau tidak, sudahpun menyerahkan tugas menetapkan dasar dan menyediakan draf undang-undang iaitu Rang Undang-Undang Kebencian Kaum dan Agama, Rang Undang-Undang Rekonsiliasi dan Keharmonian Nasional serta Rang Undang-Undang Suruhanjaya Rekonsiliasi dan Keharmonian Nasional kepada pembangkang, yang dilihat sebagai 'merampas' MKPN.

Beliau berkata jika Majlis Peguam diberi peluang berbuat demikian, badan itu akan menggubal mengikut kehendak dan kesesuaian parti-parti yang disokongnya.

Abdul Hamid turut mempersoal mengapa pembangkang, khususnya Majlis Peguam, diminta, dibenar dan dibiarkan menetapkan dasar dan menggubalnya sedangkan mereka mempunyai agenda sendiri.

Katanya, mengikut amalan biasa, apabila kerajaan hendak membuat sesuatu undang-undang, kerajaan (kementerian atau jabatan) akan terlebih dahulu membuat keputusan-keputusan dasar.

Najib berkata MKPN bukanlah satu badan muktamad yang boleh membuat keputusan akhir berhubung akta keharmonian tetapi kerajaan dan kabinet yang mengambil peranan itu.

Katanya apa yang diutarakan Hamid berhubung Majlis Peguam bukanlah menjadi matlamat utama penubuhan MKPN.

"MKPN bukan satu forum atau platform untuk membincangkan perkara ini secara tertutup. Apa yang dilakukan Majlis Peguam tidak selaras dengan tujuan MKPN ditubuhkan," katanya.

Awal bulan lalu, Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Nancy Shukri mengesahkan belum menerima tiga draf awal berkaitan Akta Keharmonian Nasional bagi menggantikan Akta Hasutan 1948.

Bagaimanapun, katanya draf terbabit yang diterima daripada MKPN belum dibawa ke kabinet kerana perlu diperhalusi bagi memastikan tiada percanggahan dengan Perlembagaan Persekutuan.

"Saya sudah menerima tiga draf bill (rang undang-undang), tetapi penerimaan itu tidak semestinya bermaksud kerajaan terus terima.

“Hanya kerana mereka menyerahkan kepada saya, tidak bermakna kabinet sudah bersetuju," katanya dalam sidang media di lobi Parlimen.

Menurut Nancy, pelaksanaan undang-undang baru itu akan mengambil masa, selain turut memberi jaminan undang-undang tersebut tidak akan membelakangkan hak Raja-raja Melayu dan elemen-elemen lain dalam Perlembagaan Persekutuan.

Terdahulu dalam jawapan bertulisnya kepada Anggota Parlimen Kuala Selangor Datuk Irmohizam Ibrahim, beliau berkata Akta Hasutan 1948 masih lagi sah selagi tidak ada akta baru menggantikannya.

Beliau juga berkata kerajaan masih belum memutuskan tarikh sebenar pemansuhan akta sedia ada memandangkan akta baru sedang dalam kajian dan memerlukan penelitian daripada pelbagai aspek.

Cabinet Has Last Say On Bill To Replace Sedition Act - Najib

KUALA LUMPUR, July 11 (Bernama) -- The Cabinet has the last say on the Bill to replace the Sedition Act 1984, not the National Unity Consultative Council, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.

The prime minister said the Cabinet would decide on an appropriate law to replace the Sedition Act 1948 or otherwise.

He said the council was not the definitive or ultimate forum or platform to discuss or determine whether the National Harmony Bill was well suited to replace the Sedition Act.

"The views expressed on the matter (drafting of the Bill) should be discussed privately and the council is not the ultimate body, instead it is the Cabinet," he told reporters after chairing the Umno Supreme Council meeting at PWTC here Friday.

He was commenting on former chief justice Tun Abdul Hamid Mohamad's statement that Bar Council members were also involved in preparing three drafts of the Bill to replace the Sedition Act 1948.

On the Umno Supreme Council meeting, Najib, who is also Umno president, said Umno would take a stand and contribute opinions in the drafting of the Bill.

Hence, he said, Umno would set up a sub-committee under the aegis of its constitution and law bureau to study and make recommendations on the draft Bill for the government's consideration.

‘Harmony bill not finalised yet’

The New Straits Times
by SHARANPAL SINGH RANDHAWA

KUALA LUMPUR: THE perception that the National Harmony Act draft bill has been prepared and will be presented by the government in Parliament is not true.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nancy Shukri said the bill had yet to be finalised as it was still going through the process of consultation with stakeholders.

The government would not do anything in a hurry or enact a law that could disrupt national harmony, she said.

“As I mentioned during the Parliament session in Dewan Rakyat recently, I, again, would like to clarify that I understand there were three working draft bills on national harmony, which were recommended by the Legislative and Policies to Promote National Harmony under the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC).

“However, all these remain as recommendations rather than something that has been finalised by the government.”

Nancy said the bill must go through a rigorous process of drafting and its contents shall not conflict with the Federal Constitution.

It will then be reviewed and examined by the Attorney-General to ensure conformity with the principles of law and in accordance with the Constitution and other related laws.

“Only upon completion of all negotiations and engagement process, the final draft bill proposed by NUCC will be forwarded to the Attorney-General for review and further refined as the process of drafting laws that apply in this country. Only then it can be brought for approval to the cabinet before being tabled in Parliament.”

On July 11, 2012, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had indicated the government’s intention to repeal the Sedition Act 1948 and replace it with a new act, known as the National Harmony Act.

The objective of the National Harmony Act is not only to strengthen the law but also to find a mechanism to determine the best balance between the need to guarantee the right to freedom of expression contained in the constitution and allow legal actions taken against those who use sensitive issues to undermine national solidarity.

NUCC, which is under the purview of the National Unity and Integration Department (NUID), an agency under the supervision of Tan Sri Joseph Kurup, had consulted stakeholders, including non-governmental organisations, for their input.

NUCC is an independent body set up by the government on Sept 11 last year in an effort to reduce the national unity and racial polarisation to build a united Malaysian nation.

It is intended to discuss complex issues in Malaysian society to pave the way for a solution and close the gap that prevents unity.

Nancy said the Sedition Act 1948 remained in force until its repeal was announced at a later date.

“The input of the proposed drafts are being researched and studied.”

She said the submission of the drafts did not mean the suggestions given had been agreed to, adding that elements such as the diversity of religions and races in the country, including Islam as the official religion of the Federation and the rulers as enshrined in the constitution, would be taken into consideration for each proposal.

Two years on, sedition law replacement still on drawing board, says minister

Malay Mail
by YAP TZU GING AND MELISSA CHI

KUALA LUMPUR, May 9 — The replacement for the Sedition Act 1948 is still being drafted two years after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak pledged to replace the controversial law with the National Harmony Act, Minister Nancy Shukri said.

The new law is being drafted by the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) and members expect to show the bill to the Cabinet before a date set for its presentation in parliament is determined.

“We are still drafting it actually, there are more things to come,” Shukri, the de facto law minister told The Malay Mail Online when contacted yesterday.

The minister in Prime Minister’s Department declined to elaborate over the phone, saying she was currently abroad.

However, NUCC member and PAS MP Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa said that aside from content, members were also concerned about the bill’s passage through Parliament.

He added the NUCC will seek public input before the bill goes before the Dewan Rakyat, putting the earliest date by December this year.

The 66-year-old law, which critics denounce as a government tool to silence dissent, continues to be used even today.

In the latest, senior DAP MP Teresa Kok was charged with sedition this week over her satirical video during Chinese New Year.

Serdang MP Ong Kian Ming said  Kok’s sedition charge reflected the Najib’s administration’s failure in fulfilling its promises for reform.

“It is hypocritical to go after Teresa Kok for her satirical video. There are other parties like Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma), still no action being taken against them,” the DAP lawmaker said, referring to the Islamist group’s controversial statement this week.

Its president, Abdullah Zaik Abd Rahman, called the Chinese migration in the country a “mistake” that must be “rectified”.

But the Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the police were investigating Isma and has pledged stern action against those provoking racial tensions, following widespread uproar.

National Harmony Bill may be renamed

Law minister Nancy Shukri says that the National Harmony Bill is still being drafted by the government and may be renamed.
UPDATED

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Harmony Bill will not be tabled at the Parliament seating next week, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nancy Shukri today.

Speaking after attending a function at the MIC headquarters, the law minister said that the bill is still in the process of being drafted and may be renamed.

“To be honest it is a lengthy process. Even today I met the Bar Council to discuss the bill. We want their views to be taken into account before tabling the bill.

“It is a very important bill. So it is better to take time to draft a bill with more positive elements and not look draconian, ” she said.

Her statement however contradicted an earlier statement made on October 23, where Nancy was reported to have said that the National Harmony Bill was sent to the Attorney General’s Chambers for scrutiny.

In July 2010, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak announced that the government would repeal the Sedition Act 1948 and replace it with the National Harmony Act, under the Government’s Transformation Plan.

He said the new Act will safeguard the right to freedom of speech while protecting national unity by preventing incitement of religious or ethnic hatred.

Nancy also said the government would not tabling the amendment to the Bankruptcy Act 1967 in the next parliamentary session.

The amendment will provide several alternative provisions so that creditors can get back their money based on the insolvency legal framework such as “individual voluntary arrangement” and “debt repayment scheme.”

On proposed legislations that would be tabled next week, Nancy said her ministry would be tabling an amendment to the Judges’ Remuneration (Amendment) Bill 2013, which would allow a slight increment of pension for judges.

“There are also some other bills we will table during the parliament session but I can’t say anything further, ” she said.

National Harmony Act Replaces Sedition Act 1948 - Najib

KUALA LUMPUR, July 11 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak tonight announced that the Sedition Act 1948 will be repealed and replaced with a new act to be known as the National Harmony Act.

The decision to repeal the act was to find a mechanism that could ensure the best balance between the need to guarantee the freedom of speech for every citizen and the need to handle the complexity of plurality existing in the country, he said at the dinner of the Attorney-General's Chambers with the Prime Minister at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here.

"With this new act we would be better equipped to manage our national fault lines. It will also help to strengthen national cohesion by protecting national unity and nurturing religious harmony," he said.

Also present were the Chief Secretary to the Government Datuk Seri Dr Ali Hamsa and Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail.

Najib said that the absence of an ideal balance could suppress the freedom of speech which was guaranteed by the Federal Constitution, hinder one's creativity and innovativeness or promote the spirit of chauvinism and extremism.

He said the balance must be achieved in a more open social environment with access to information which could lead to information overflow, an increasing standard of education and socio-economy and rising expectation.

"The provisions proposed in the National Harmony Act will stress on inculcating the spirit of harmony and mutual respect in the Malaysian society made up of various races and religions," he said.

He said the new bill would be more specific in nature and would enable the government to act against anyone using sensitive issues to break up national solidarity.

The Prime Minister said the government would ensure that the provisions of the new act would not hinder the power to tackle acts that could cause hatred and humiliation or stoke the feelings of disloyalty to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or any Ruler.

It also covered acts that could create enmity between the races and question whatever rights, positions, privileges, sovereignty or prerogative protected in the Constitution.

"Before formulating the National Harmony Bill, the government wants to invite views and opinions from Malaysians, whether individuals or organisations on matters that need to be addressed in drawing up the legislation.

"The Attorney-General's Chambers has been tasked as the agency responsible for getting the opinions of all stakeholders," he said.

Najib said the government was aware that there were groups who considered the Sedition Act as a tool to prevent action or views that were contradictory to the government's stand, but pointed out that this perception was totally unfounded.

"As such, the new provisions will not prevent the people from criticising the government and the administration of justice. Any act that is in contempt of court will be handled by the judiciary itself through the existing provisions in the existing Rules of Court," he said. Meanwhile, Najib also said the government decided to enforce immediately all new laws and amendments to the existing laws which were announced in the Political Transformation Plan including the Security Offences Act (Special Measures); Printing Presses and Publications Act; and the Universities and University Colleges Act.

"Through the abolition and formulation of the ongoing bills, the government wants to ensure that adequate democratic space is provided for differences of opinion and competing ideas.

"Basically, we want to create one Malaysia where the principles of human rights is upheld, the individual's liberty to express opinions openly is welcomed, and the interest of the individuals and the community is balanced," he said.

The Prime Minister also said that the Attorney-General's Chambers could be likened to a compass that showed the direction to ensure that the principles of the supremacy of the constitution and the rule of law were always upheld.

"I take great pride that the staff of the Attorney-General's Chambers have never been complacent with the adulation and praise accorded and never over-reacted to any allegation or slander made against the agency," he said.