As Sedition Act stays, IGP wants it made easier to charge

(Malay Mail Online) – The Sedition Act should be “improved” to make it easier for authorities to prosecute those who violate the law, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said.

Despite the already low threshold of the law that criminalises speech with an undefined “seditious tendency” and without need to prove intent, Khalid urged the Attorney-General’s Chambers to draft amendments soon that will help police present charges against those accused of sedition.

“I welcome the retention of the Sedition Act in conditions when the freedom of speech, opinion, writing and many more have been misused. This Act is a law that is very suited to address the problem,” Khalid was quoted as saying by Malay daily Utusan Malaysia today.

“We also ask that some parts (of the Sedition Act) be reinforced to, among others, make the process of charging those responsible for such crimes,” he continued.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday declared that the Sedition Act 1948 will remain, in an about-turn from his earlier pledge in 2012 to repeal the colonial era law.

He also announced that the Act will be strengthened with two extra provisions: one prohibiting insults against all religions, and the other prohibiting talks of Sabah and Sarawak seceding from Malaysia.

In his policy speech at the start of the 65th Umno General Assembly, he said the decision was made after consultation with party leaders, NGOs and grassroots members.

As part of his administration’s raft of reforms, the prime minister had in 2012 pledged to do away with the Sedition Act and replace it with laws on national harmony.

Despite the pledge, Putrajaya has in recent months increased its use of the law to hitherto unseen levels.

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.

Umno leaders and many self-styled Malay groups have been fighting hard to convince the Najib government to retain the Act, even going as far as saying there is a need to tighten it further to include provisions that specifically prohibits individuals from insulting Islam, the Malay race and the rulers.