Govt drafting new bill to replace, complement the Sedition Act

The Sun Daily
by Karen Arukesamy

KUALA LUMPUR: The government is in the midst of drafting a new bill to complement the existing Sedition Act 1948, which also may be amended accordingly, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nancy Shukri said the government needs to maintain the Sedition Act until the new bill is drafted because there is no other law to prosecute those who instigate or spread hatred in the community.

"For now we are in the midst of drafting a new bill either to replace or to complement the existing law if it is amended.

"It is still in force because we do not have any other law to act against those who have the potential to threaten public order," she said to a question from Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar had earlier raised the question in the House whether the government is of the opinion that by prosecuting some Pakatan Rakyat leaders, including a few MPs, activists and intellectuals accused of sedition is in line with his commitment to make Malaysia a more democratic country.

Nancy reiterated that the government does not practice suppression of power and does not interfere in the roles and functions of other agencies adding that in this it is the Attorney-General's Chambers that decides to charge or withdraw the charges.

"We are in the midst of looking into a new bill to take over all the cases under Sedition," she said.

Repeatedly pointing out that the commitment to abolish the draconian law was made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak himself, Anwar said that the sedition charges has been contradicting his commitments.

"First of all, the PM himself has given the commitment to abolish the Act that was introduced by the British under the excuse to fight communists.

Anwar said Malaysia is matured today and the government cannot use the Act as and when it likes.

"Are you saying that when academicians criticise the government policies and administration, they are threatening public order?

"Are you saying there is no such criticisms from the (Barisan Nasional) side?" he said, adding that he would still not support even if anyone from the ruling party was charged under the Sedition Act.

"I would not agree, because I am against the Act in principle.