PM just being ‘practical’, Zahid explains of sedition repeal U-turn
(Malay Mail Online) – Datuk Seri Najib Razak was being practical by heeding those who want the Sedition Act 1948 to be retained when he backtracked today on his pledge to repeal the law, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.
In a joint press conference with fellow party vice-presidents Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, Zahid also said Malaysia’s multi-racial society does not allow for excessive openness and stressed that insults against religion could not be tolerated.
“Even though political transformation is his agenda, but the prime minister is a practical person who understands the heart of his people, not just from NGOs, but also the people who do not want the Sedition Act to be replaced with other laws,” Zahid said on the sidelines of Umno’s annual general assembly today.
Najib announced at the Umno general assembly earlier today that the Sedition Act would stay, adding that the colonial-era law would be strengthened with two specific clauses on outlawing insults against religion and prohibiting talk of Sabah and Sarawak seceding from the federation.
When pointed out at the press conference that people will perceive Umno as being regressive, Hishammuddin said: “Well, if we want to be progressive, but if it’s chaos like the Middle East, Syria and Tunisia, then how?”
On whether there would be consistent action under the Sedition Act amid allegations of double standards, Zahid said the authorities would leave it to the wisdom of the Attorney-General and the courts.
Shafie, who is also a Sabahan MP, said the Sedition Act was needed to prevent “evil elements” within the country from sparking chaos, noting that “evil elements” from outside were behind the Lahad Datu intrusion.
“We welcome it not just to defend Sabah under Malaysia, but also in the context of the Act, as mentioned by Zahid and Hishammuddin. Our leadership will not be silent and we will heed the people on the importance of national security and harmony,” he said.
The prime minister’s about turn on his 2012 promise to replace the Sedition Act with laws on national harmony comes after Malay right-wing groups and Umno conservatives lobbied intensely against the repeal, claiming that it would lead to attacks against the Bumiputera, Islam and the Malay rulers.
Civil society and the Malaysian Bar have previously called for the repeal of the law in the interest of freedom of speech and expression, noting that the spate of arrests and prosecutions under the Sedition Act this year had mainly targeted opposition lawmakers and activists critical of the government.
In just nine months this year, 12 cases have been prosecuted under the Sedition Act — the highest figure since 2009 — raising alarm in civil society of the government’s perceived clampdown on dissent.
None of the cases involved threats of violence.
