Malaysia to repeal sedition law

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KUALA LUMPUR: The government’s move to repeal the Sedition Act 1948 and replace it with the National Harmony Act has been welcomed by many parties, with hope that the new act will continue to protect fundamental liberties.

They also welcomed the assurance that proper consultations with stakeholders would be undertaken in drafting the new law, as it was important to ensure the country’s democracy was genuinely inclusive and participative.

Democratic Action Party (DAP) National Chairman, Karpal Singh said the decision was in the right direction and called for provisions that are in line with the needs of the present day and age.

“I hope the repeal of the Sedition Act and its substitution with the proposed National Harmony Act will bring about greater and very much needed latitudes for freedom of speech and expression,” he said in a statement here, Thursday.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak when announcing the repeal yesterday said the decision 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.

Karpal Singh said it was imperative that there must be feedback from the public before the National Harmony Act was enacted by Parliament.

“The public has the right to participate in the process leading to the passage of this act which must not include repetition of any draconian sections inconsistent with freedom of speech and expression,” he said.

Malaysian Bar president Lim Chee Wee in a statement said the new law should be as far as possible from criminalising speech and ideas, and should be slow to introduce criminal offenses.

He also stressed that matters like loyalty, mutual respect and national unity cannot be legislated.

“These are ideals that have to be gradually developed and naturally cultivated, and not instantly demanded by force of law,” he said, adding that the Malaysian Bar would continue to provide careful and considered opinions and feedback in the promulgation of the new law.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) chairman Tan Sri Hasmy Agam said the commission appreciated and supported the efforts for democratic reforms and to safeguard human rights and freedom in the country.

He said the commission looked forward to engaging with the Attorney- General’s Chambers and other stakeholders in the drafting of the new law to address particular concerns.

Suhakam hoped that the new Act would be drafted in a transparent manner to ensure it will be in line with fundamental human rights principles, he said. — BERNAMA