SHAH ALAM: The decision to retain the Sedition Act 1948 as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Thursday has gone down well with Selangor Barisan Nasional (BN) assemblymen.
Selangor opposition leader Datuk Mohd Shamsuddin Lias said the decision by the prime minister to retain the act was not in the interest of any party but to ensure overall social harmony.
Mohd Shamsuddin, who is also Sungai Burong assemblyman, said it was most appropriate to retain the act given the current situation, which according to him, was often ‘disrupted’ by certain quarters with personal interests.
“The Act is still relevant and necessary to curb the action of some people who are out to create chaos and disunity among society.
“Keeping the act is not for the interest of certain parties including BN but it would be able to prevent some people from playing up issues on religion, race and the institution of Malay rulers,” he told reporters when met at the lobby of the Selangor State Assembly here yesterday.
He also said the act needed to be improved and fine-tuned to ensure it remained relevant to maintain security and mitigate any threats to peace and harmony.
Selangor PAS commissioner Iskandar Abdul Samad, who is also Cempaka assemblyman, was of the view that the government should make use of other laws in maintaining harmony in the country rather than retaining the Sedition Act.
Najib when opening the 2014 UMNO General Assembly here yesterday announced that the Sedition Act 1948 would remain and not only that, would be fortified. — Bernama