Amended Sedition Act, POTA an insult to judiciary - Azmin

This is the opinion of Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali, who said this when referring to the newly amended Sedition Act 1984 and the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

"The key phrase here is 'power to the people' while the reality is that we have more than enough laws that give the executive 'people over the people'.

"The only thing that we are sure about these new laws is that the powers are wide ranging, far wider than before.

"They have also imposed a mandatory minimum three-year jail sentence upon conviction, taking away the discretionary powers of the courts in this regard.

"This is indeed an “insult” to the judiciary and a double insult to all fair minded, peace loving people who cherish justice and freedom'" he said during his speech at the ASEAN Civil Society Conference / ASEAN People's Forum Malaysia, here today.

Azmin also cited John Lennon's "Power to the people” song to bring his message across to hundreds of people who attended the forum.

"I take note of paragraph 4.2.3 of the CSO Statement on “Reclaiming The Asean Community For The People”. It calls for repealing laws restricting, freedom of expression, freedom of religion or belief” and urging “releasing those imprisoned or detained under such laws.

"These developments therefore violate the letter and spirit of the aspirations of the people."