'PM's Sedition Act U-turn cowardly, malicious'

 

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's decision of to retain the Sedition Act is "cowardly" and "reeks of malice", says Gerakan Hapus Akta Hasutan (GHAH).

“GHAH is deeply disturbed and outraged with Najib’s cowardly decision to renege on his promise to abolish the Sedition Act and to ‘fortify and strengthen’ the Act instead,” the leading coalition for the Act's abolition said in a statement yesterday.

Led by Suaram, Lawyers for Liberty and the Civil Rights Committee of Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, GHAH added the decision is in bad faith on the part of the government.

“The sudden decision ... allegedly protect the sanctity of Islam and other religions and to address those calling for the secession of Sabah and Sarawak reeks of malice and bad faith, as the Act has been rampantly abused to charge politicians, activists and dissidents.”

GHAH added Najib’s announcement to further fortify the Act will stifle dissent and lead to a “bleak and undemocratic future”.

“This decision tightens the noose around freedom of speech and expression and makes clear what a bleak and undemocratic future we have under Najib's administration.

“The shocking increase in sedition charges and investigations in the past two years reaffirms the prime minister's false reformist credentials and it is evident that his administration is still reliant on the draconian and antiquated legislation to control and suppress democratic norms and legitimate dissent.

Promise not kept

Najib's highly anticipated announcement at the height of the Umno AGM yesterday received a standing ovation and rousing applause from the ruling party's members, who had stepped up calls for their president to back down from his pre-election promise in 2012 to abolish the Act.

After BN's poorest showing in recent history during the 13th general election in 2013, there have been growing calls from Umno's right wing to retain the Act, which has since been used in a massive dragnet over the past year against opposition members and other voices of dissent.

Last Friday, a group of GHAH activists handed over an anti-Sedition Act petition to the Parliament.

It was no surprise that speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia rejected the petition signed by 3,005 people, citing a procedure breach that some of the petitioners did not place their signatures or thumbprints in the petition.

Khalid Samad (PAS-Shah Alam) however persisted to move for the petition to be read out in the House but Pandikar stood firm on his decision.